Serena Powers Into Second Round
Two-time champion Serena Williams beat the Portuguese qualifier Neuza Silva in round one at Wimbledon. The 27-year-old American, seeded two, saw off the world number 154, 6-1 7-5, in one hour 13 minutes in the opening women's match on Centre Court.
Williams raced into a 4-0 lead against Silva, who was making her Grand Slam singles debut after coming through qualifying. The 26-year-old from Portugal looked down and out when she slipped on the turf while falling a double-break down at 4-0, and Williams wrapped up the first set in just 27 minutes. But the 2002 and 2003 champion lost focus early, with her forehand especially error-prone, and Silva grew in confidence as the set progressed, saving a break point to move to 4-4.
Williams was not to be denied though, and after netting a backhand on her first match point in game 10 a heavy return did the job two games later.
Asked if her concentration had slipped or Silva had improved in the second set, Williams said: "A little bit of both. I definitely think she increased her game, but also I think my concentration on some key points, it wasn't where it should have been. "And, you know, it's just a point here or there that can make or break a match."
Williams will face Lucie Safarova or Jarmila Groth in the second round.
Soccer: Manchester United Target Nilmar
Manchester United are currently monitoring the situation of Nilmar and are keen on signing the striker. United are allegedly in the midst of raising the £20 million needed to purchase the 24-year-old striker.
Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly singled out the Brazilian forward as Carlos Tevez's successor, after the Argentine international ruled out a return to Old Trafford. Rumours from England have claimed that the Premier League champions sent more than a handful of scouts to the Confederations Cup to have a good look at Nilmar, but he has only made a substitute appearance for Brazil in the tournament so far. Nilmar has rediscovered the rich vein of form that once made him such a prized asset, scoring 15 goals in 31 games since returning to Internacional in 2007.
