Women's game not 2nd class anymore - Serena
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-30 10:08

LONDON - Serena Williams believes the seismic shocks that saw Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova crash out of Wimbledon prove beyond doubt that women's tennis is more than a match for the men's.


Ana Ivanovic of Serbia speaks at a news conference after being defeated by Zheng Jie of China in their match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 27, 2008. [Agencies] 

World No 1 Ivanovic lost to China's Zheng Jie, the world 133, 6-1, 6-4 on Friday in the third round, just 24 hours after third seed Maria Sharapova was dumped out by fellow Russian, and world 154, Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-2, 6-4.

"Everyone seems to be out to win these days. Everyone wants to beat a top player," said Williams, the champion in 2002 and 2003. "Whenever I go out to play everyone wants to win. They seem to bring their A-game against me."

Wimbledon women's matches have always divided opinion.

In 2006, 45 of the 64 women's first-round matches were won in straight sets. In the second round of 32 matches, 19 were won without the need for a decider.

This year, 35 of the 64 opening round ties were taken in straight sets and 16 in the second round.

Amelie Mauresmo, the 2006 champion who was knocked out by Williams in the third round, believes most girls on the tour are fitter and better prepared.

"We can feel it for a while now. It's still improving. All the players are capable of beating the top players," said the 28-year-old Frenchwoman. "It's the training. Girls are preparing better and better and finding new things to work on. I guess we're probably following the men's development in the tennis."

Even Sharapova admitted that the growing number of threats had to be treated as serious contenders.

"I've always said there's depth on the tour," said Sharapova.