American top seed Serena Williams fought off an incredible challenge by Britain’s Heather Watson to win their third round clash at Wimbledon.
The five-time champion at SW19 was an overwhelming favourite going into the game, but Watson – Britain’s only remaining female in the tournament – pushed her all the way in a pulsating encounter.
Williams eventually took the match 6-2 4-6 7-5 to book her place in Wimbledon’s second week of action as she aims win the crown she last won in 2012.
The American, facing a hugely partisan crowd, needed just 25 minutes to sweep to a one-set lead, 6-2, over the British number one.
The Australian ‘Fanatics’ supporters stayed on court after Bernard Tomic’s three-set defeat to top seed Novak Djokovic, playing to the crowd by backing the home favourite.
“If you love Heather Watson clap your hands” was a healthy early riposte to the cries of “Come on Serena” echoing around Centre Court.
Guernsey native Watson battled manfully, but could do little to stop the express train that is the 20-time grand slam champion’s unruffled march.
The crowd let out a roar of relief when Watson posted her first point on the board, but Williams blasted two aces to hold the opening game with ease.
Watson recovered from deuce to hold her first service game but was broken at the very next time of asking.
Williams converted the second of two break points to move 3-1 ahead in what proved the set’s pivotal game, before breaking again to take control of the match.
Just when every Centre Court soul expected Williams to power home, Watson struck back to claim the second set 6-4 and level the match.
The crowd released a roar of relief when Watson finished a tight rally with a smart drop-shot at the net, before holding to level at one game apiece.
Williams was positively affronted by falling 30-0 behind on her own serve, rallying but not completing the hold.
Watson squandered one break point, before forcing another – and Williams fired a double fault to let her British foe claim an early foothold in the set.
Williams broke back immediately to erase Watson’s advantage – but the British hope returned the favour for her second break of the set, to move to the brink of levelling the match.
Watson’s battling instincts rattled Williams, but nerves bit as she served a double fault to hand her intimidating opponent a chance to break.
The 23-year-old summoned the courage to recover however, and levelled the match with her second set point.
Watson then incredibly raced into a 3-0 lead in the deciding set, with two breaks of serve to her name.
However, Williams showed her resolve and battled back to 3-3.
The topsy-turvy nature of the match didn’t end there though and Watson managed to break again at 4-4 to serve for the match.
But whether the pressure got to her, or whether Williams’ never-say-die attitude was just too strong, the American broke back to level at 5-5 and went on to take command and see the game out with a convincing service game and then breaking Watson in game 12 of the set to wrap up the match.