<p>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. </p>.<p>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. <br /><br />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.<br /> <br />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. </p>
<p>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. </p>.<p>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. <br /><br />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.<br /> <br />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. </p>