Wimbledon women's round-up

Kim Clijsters believes she is close to mastering grass courts as she continued to impress on her Wimbledon comeback with a comfortable second-round victory over the dangerous Karolina Sprem.

The US Open champion remains on course for a fourth-round meeting with fellow Belgian Justine Henin, who also won today during her first Wimbledon campaign since coming out of retirement.

Clijsters set up a contest against Russian 27th seed Maria Kirilenko after pulling off the big shots at the crucial moments during a 6-3 6-2 victory over Sprem.

Henin, whose last outing at SW19 before her retirement was a year after her compatriot's in 2007, was made to sweat before overcoming Kristina Barrois.

The two-time finalist looked set for a swift win after moving a set and two breaks ahead, but Barrois recovered those breaks to put the match almost back in the balance.

Henin was not to be upset though, and won consecutive games to clinch a 6-3 7-5 victory.

However, she has ruled out a glorious comeback.

Five-time champion Venus Williams started in imperious form against shock Eastbourne champion Ekaterina Makarova on Centre Court before quickly bouncing back from a loss of serve to win 6-0 6-4.

There was a surprise on Court Five with Israel's Shahar Peer, the 13th seed, losing to Angelique Kerber 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Number 30 seed Yaroslava Shvedova also crashed out, losing 6-3 6-4 to Russia's Regina Kulikova, while 33rd seed Melanie Oudin lost by the same score to Australian Jarmila Groth.
Twelfth seed Nadia Petrova had no such problems, the Russian beating Yung-Jan Chan in straight sets.

While Henin-Clijsters is the match all Belgian tennis fans want to see, there was a meeting between two of the country's players today with 15th seed Yanina Wickmayer overcoming Kirsten Flipkens 7-6 6-4.

Petra Martic did not get the opportunity to follow up her victory over British number one Elena Baltacha as the Croatian teenager withdrew from her clash against 11th seed Marion Bartoli with an abdominal injury.

Elsewhere, there were victories for 21st seed Vera Zvonereva, 28th seed Elena Bondarenko and Tsvetana Pironkova, who beat Vera Dushevina, the conqueror of French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

There was still some first-round action taking place with 24th seed Daniela Hantuchova winning the final set of her contest against Vania King 6-3.