LONDON: Australia`s Jarmila Groth set up a fourth round shot at Wimbledon great Venus Williams when she downed Germany`s Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-5 on Friday.

The Aussie number three reached the round of 16 at the All England Club for the first time when she beat the higher-ranked Kerber on Court 18.

Groth backed up her better, faster serving by hitting 35 winners to her opponent`s 14.

She had only met Kerber once before, on the hard courts of Indian Wells in 2008, when Groth triumphed in straight sets and she was able to repeat that feat here.
Groth has never before played against world number two Williams, who has five Wimbledon singles titles to her name.

But the Melbourne resident is in hot form, having reached a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time at the French Open and followed up her exploits on clay by doing the same here on grass.

The world number 92 knocked out American 33rd seed Melanie Oudin in the second round to set up the clash with Kerber, who had herself knocked out a seed in number 13 Shahar Peer of Israel.

Bratislava-born Groth`s previous best-ever Wimbledon performances came in 2007 and 2009 when she reached the second round.

She married men`s tour player Sam Groth in February 2009 and was granted Australian citizenship last November.

BDST: 2323hrs, June 25, 2010
SA