Venus drops first set

Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm eventually won a remarkable opening set in her second-round Wimbledon clash against Venus Williams - but only after failing to convert seven set points.

Date-Krumm broke in Williams' first three service games as she raced 3-0 and then 5-1 ahead, and it seemed the American's lack of recent match practice was catching up on her. Williams saved three set points and strung together five consecutive games to heap the pressure back on Date-Krumm, who held serve to take the set into a tie-break.

Date-Krumm was happy to attack Williams' serve and she opened a 6-2 lead in the tie-break to earn four more set points. But her American opponent hit back again, saving all of them to draw level before Date-Krumm finally clinched a remarkable set 7-6 (8/6).

The roof was closed over Centre Court as rain fell over the rest of Wimbledon - but Williams and Date-Krumm offered the watching Duchess of Cornwall some high-class entertainment.