From correspondents in London, England, 09:32 PM IST

Defending champion Venus Williams fought off a first-set charge from Anne Keothavong before dispatching the British player 7-5, 6-2 at the Wimbledon Championships Thursday.

The four-time winner Williams reached the third round after winning a struggle which lasted for one hour, 40 minutes.

Koethavong put pressure on the seventh seed but was able to convert on just one of 11 break chances while losing her own serve four times.

Williams needed more than an hour to secure the first set against the number 92, the last British woman remaining in the field.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)