Venus vs Date-Krumm A Pleasure To Watch

Written by: Staff on 23rd June 2011

Venus vs Date-Krumm A Pleasure To Watch

Venus Williams of the US reacts as she plays Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 22 June 2011. EPA/FELIPE TRUEBA |

Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan played amazing tennis against Venus Williams yesterday on the Centre Court. Date-Krumm took a 5-1 lead in the first set playing highly enjoyable tennis. Her hard and flat groundstrokes paid off and she came to the net finishing the points off with impressive volleys.

Williams is a fighter and she refused to give up even being 1-5 down in the first set. Venus managed to get back to 6-6 but lost the tiebreak 8-6. Venus said, “As you can tell in the match, I was very serious about trying to get the win, even down 1-5 in the first set. She runs down every ball. She hits every ball basically on the baseline, hard and flat. If you get it anywhere near the mid-court, she hits for the corners and come to the net. I thought she played unbelievable today. I thought she had some luck on her side, with net cords, balls hitting lines. I just thought today was a perfect storm for her to try to get a win. Thankfully I had some answers.”

The 40-year-old started to show her age at 6-7 in the third set when she looked tired mentally and physically. Date-Krumm took time out from tennis to start a family but was talked in to a comeback by her husband, German racing car driver Michael Krumm. The Japanese player was disappointed after the match but she was happy to be back on Centre Court again.

The three hour battle finished 6-7, 6-3, 8-6. Venus Williams looked very relieved when she walked off the court as the winner.

Camilla Parker-Bowles watched the match in the Royal Box.