WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Four-time champion Serena Williams reached the fourth round at Wimbledon by beating 26th-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-3, 6-2 with the help of 10 aces.
It was Williams’ first straight-set victory in five matches since she returned this month after being away from the tour for nearly a year because of a series of health scares, including blood clots in her lungs.
Despite the long layoff, the seventh-seeded American is trying to become the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1991-93 to win three consecutive titles at the All England Club.
Against Kirilenko, Williams saved the only break point she faced and put together a 32-9 edge in winners.
Williams will face No. 9 Marion Bartoli, the 2007 Wimbledon runner-up.
