LONDON, July 2 - Three-times former champion Venus
Williams survived a hair-raising third round match against Akiko
Morigami of Japan on Monday, winning 6-2 3-6 7-5 but looking far
from comfortable.
The American former world number one had seemed to be
cruising when she eased to a convincing first set lead in the
match which started on Saturday.
But a double break by the Japanese player gave her a 4-1
lead before the weather intervened and halted play until Monday.
Williams kept herself in the second set by saving six set
points in the seventh game and then breaking in the next. But
Morigami unleashed some accurate shots down the line finally to
snatch the set.
Seemingly intent on making it difficult for herself,
Williams dropped serve in the eighth game of the third, before
breaking back.
In the end it was a mistake by Morigami that handed Williams
the match, with the Japanese player putting her return into the
net. Williams jumped up and down in celebration and, most
likely, relief.