For a brief moment on Centre Court, the stadium that has witnessed five of her grand slam titles caught a glimpse of Venus Williams at full flight. In the early stages of her much anticipated encounter with Elina Svitolina, the ball was flying off the 43-year-old’s racket cleanly and with ease as she immediately broke serve.
But just as quickly as she had found her footing, she lost it. At 2-0, Williams slipped on the grass while defending the net, screaming as she clasped at her left knee. After some tense moments, Williams eventually stood up and resumed but as she moved tentatively, Svitolina showed her experience by taking control during the uncertainty and never looking back.
