Williams show set to roll on

No surprise there considering the American sisters have dominated the grasscourt slam for the last decade, only this time their progress to Monday's last 16 has been followed a little more intently after both returned in the nick of time from long lay-offs and with doubts about their condition.

In reigning champion Serena's case, her three wins so far have been nothing short of remarkable. Despite minimal match practice and showing signs of rustiness, the 13-times Grand Slam champion survived the first week of the tournament unscathed.

What is more, there are ominous signs that her heavy weaponry is about to be unleashed as she prepares to take on ninth seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, the 2007 runner-up.

Five-times champion Venus, who also returned at the Eastbourne warm-up event after a five-month absence with a hip problem, will have revenge on her mind when she plays Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova on Centre Court.