Next generation

Venus prepares to face rising Russian Zvonareva

Venus on Wimbledon PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) -- Former champion Venus Williams believes Wimbledon's decision to stop players curtseying to the royal box will dent the tradition of the event. "I don't know why they did that," the American said at Roland Garros on Saturday. "I am disappointed. I think the best part about Wimbledon is the history and the tradition. That's so nice, the curtsey. "I actually taught a few players to curtsey on the way up to the court, to the centre court. "Some of the players have never played on centre before. I'd have to show them what to do." Wimbledon said last month that players will be excused from making the gesture to members of the Royal Family and visiting dignitaries, apart from the Queen and Prince Charles. The Queen has not attended the tournament since her Silver Jubilee year of 1977 when she presented the women's singles trophy to Briton Virginia Wade. The move follows a request from All England Club President, the Duke of Kent, to cease the tradition in line with common practice elsewhere. Last year Venus lost in the final to younger sister Serena, who is likely to remain the last player to perform the archaic gesture on tennis' most famous stage. Men will no longer be requested to bow to the royal box.

PARIS (AP) -- Venus Williams sounded like a wistful old-timer talking about her opponent Sunday at the French Open, 18-year-old Vera Zvonareva.

The promising young Russian has climbed from 371st in the rankings at the beginning of last year to 21st this week. She and Williams will meet for the first time in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

"I just remember when I was in the same position she's in, starting to be on tour," said Williams, now a wizened 22. "I was having a lot of fun. She's probably having a lot of fun, always looking forward to the big match, playing the No. 1 players in the world. That's probably what she feels."

Williams and Zvonareva advanced with easy victories Saturday. No. 2-seeded Kim Clijsters, 2001 champion Jennifer Capriati and No. 6 Lindsay Davenport also won in straight sets.

There might be more drama in Sunday's matches, including Williams vs. Zvonareva. The Russian pushed eventual champion Serena Williams to three sets in the fourth round in 2002.

"I'll be, I think, a little bit more confident this year," said Zvonareva, who is seeded 22nd.

"I've seen her play a few times," Williams said. "I'm ready."

Another matchup showcases the other end of the current generation, with Davenport, 26, facing Conchita Martinez, 31, who is in the fourth round for the 14th time.

"I am 31. It's reality," said Martinez, the oldest player remaining in the women's draw. "But that doesn't mean I feel old or that I cannot run for balls. I feel that I can still play good tennis and move out there and sometimes enjoy it. So it's a good deal."

Martinez, seeded 24th, advanced by beating Tina Pisnik 6-3, 6-3. Davenport eliminated Nathalie Dechy of France 6-3, 7-5, despite requiring treatment on her left foot from a trainer midway through her second set.

"It's a problem I've had for like the last month," Davenport said. "I just have this nerve in my foot that's very irritated. It's day to day. I never know when it comes up. Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow."

No. 3-seeded Williams, the runner-up to her sister last year, hit six aces and beat Silvia Farina Elia 6-1, 6-2. The tournament is the first for Williams since an abdominal strain forced her to stop playing during the Polish final May 4.

"I'm doing OK," Williams said. "I'm really icing a lot to prevent any huge flare-ups. Each day I'm able to serve more in practice and hit more overheads and be more ambitious, so it's nice."

No. 7 Capriati took advantage of a shaky showing by qualifier Julia Vakulenko to win 6-1, 6-2. No. 2 Clijsters defeated Paola Suarez 6-2, 6-1. Zvonareva beat Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 6-3, 6-4.

Those advancing hope to end the reign of defending champion Serena Williams, who shut out Barbara Schett 6-0, 6-0 in the third round Friday. Capriati said she wasn't fazed by that score.

"I don't think anyone cares about those results," she said. "I just think people care about who's the winner of the tournament."

 

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