Serena Williams’ hunt for an eighth Wimbledon title continues after she comfortably beat Germany’s Julia Goerges in straight sets on Court One.
Having been taken the distance in her previous match against Kaja Juvan, the American put in a far more assured and commanding display to beat Goerges 6-3 6-4 in their third-round encounter.
Despite periods of resistance from the 18th seed, whose biting forehand winners prevented this tie from being a walkover, Williams’ relentless firepower and cleaner hitting proved to be the difference.
She now takes on Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in the last 16.
William's first break came at 2-2 in the opening set. The American took the game to two break points with an angled backhand that Goerges could only flap at. Ruffled and overwhelmed by the consistency of her opponent's shot-making, the German netted on the next point to gift the seven-time Wimbledon champion the first break of the match.
From there, Williams moved through the motions and wrapped up the first set at the third time of asking, firing across a curled forehand winner that landed plum on the sideline.
It took Williams four attempts to finally break Goerges in the second set, that proving the decisive moment before the American served out victory in one hour and 12 minutes.
Over on Centre Court, Harriet Dart’s fine Wimbledon run ended with a bruising defeat by world No 1 Ashleigh Barty.
It was a singles debut on Centre Court for both women but the gulf was all too clear as Barty wrapped up a 6-1 6-1 victory in just 53 minutes to reach the fourth round for the first time with a 15th consecutive victory.
The considerable consolation for Dart is that by reaching the third round she had far exceeded expectations and her ranking will rise from its current 182 into the top 140.
