Wimbledon: Venus Williams is tested, Jankovic is out, and Li Na goes on to quarterfinals

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Venus Williams, second-seeded at Wimbledon and a five-time champion, received a serious test for the first time this year, but in the end her serving power and big forehand proved too much for unseeded Jarmila Groth of Australia. Williams won 6-4, 7-6 (5). Williams had started that second-set tiebreak up 4-0 before surrendering four straight points.

But Williams can’t take total credit for recovering. She had some help from Groth, who had upset American Melanie Oudin in the second round. The Australian served a double fault to give Williams her first match point. Then, after maneuvering Williams around the court to give herself a chance to hit an easy forehand past her charging opponent, Groth put the ball into the net instead of over it.

Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic retired in tears, down 3-0 in the second set to 21st-seeded Vera Zvonareva, 6-1, 3-0. Jankovic was treated by a trainer for a back injury during the match.

Also finishing early on this busy Monday, when all 16 men and women played, was ninth-seeded Li Na, the 28-year-old veteran of China. She beat seventh-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-3, 6-2.

-- Diane Pucin

Photos, from left: Jarmila Groth and Venus Williams compete in their fourth-round match at Wimbledon on June 28, 2010. Credit: Phil Noble / Reuters