Maria Sharapova of Russia serves to Stephanie Foretz of France during their match at the Wimbledon championships in London June 24, 2008. (Reuters Photo)
Defending champion Venus Williams of the United States eliminated British wildcarder Naomi Cavaday to reach the second round of the Wimbledon tennis tournament on Tuesday, together with 2004 champion Maria Sharapova of Russia.
The American beat early trouble to score a 7-6, 6-1 win over Cavaday, while her possible semi opponent Sharapova recorded an easy 6-1, 6-4 win over Stephanie Foretz of France.
Before opening the defense of her crown, Williams admitted she knew little about her 197th-ranked opponent who almost toppled former champion Martina Hingis of Switzerland in the first round last June.