Venus Williams’ second round victory against 40-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm did not come without a tough fight.
The two hour and 56-minute match on famed Centre Court almost brought Venus’ dreams of a sixth Wimbledon title to an early and unexpected close.
Kimiko Date-Krumm took an early 5-1 lead against the former World No. 1 and had spectators believing that a surprising second round upset for the 8-time finalist was in the works.
After surrendering the first set, Venus Williams took the next two 6-3, 8-6, respectively.
Throughout the entire match both Williams and Date-Krumm gave it their all and used every weapon in their arsenal. Venus’ experience and poise inevitably proved too overwhelming for the Japanese tennis player who is now the second-oldest woman to make it beyond the first round at Wimbledon.
It was a battle to the very end and both departed the grass courts of the All England Club to a standing ovation.
Venus faces Spanish player Maria Martinez in on Friday.
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