WIMBLEDON 2011: Venus Survives 3-Hour Scare

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30-year-old Venus Williams survived a stiff challenge from the crafty 40-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm in her second round match, coming back from a 1-5 deficit in the first round to win 6-7(6) 6-3 8-6 in a nearly 3 hour slugfest with the diminutive Japanese veteran displaying amazing finesse at the net and surprising power and steadiness from the baseline. Venus saved 7 set points in the first set but still lost it after playing a very bad tie break. She won the second set by easily breaking Date-Krumm's serve and holding hers. In the third set, Venus got an early break to go up 2-0 but then relinquished the lead and the two held serve for 9 consecutive service games until Venus was able to finally break and win the match.

Overall, I think this was a very good match for Venus to get through. She was able to get into her grass court flow and her serve started clicking in the middle of the second set. Although she only converted 7 of 20 breakpoints, I'm confident she will do better in another tough match against Spanish lefty serve and volleyer Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez whose claim to fame is stealing a point against Venus' sister Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2009.

Other winners on Day 3 were Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Tomas Berdych, Gael Monfils and Mardy Fish. On the women's side, Vera Zzonareva, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Daniela Hantuchova and Andrea Petkovic are all through to the 3rd round.