Week Two of Wimbledon 2018 and the round of sixteen promised a lot with a wealth of unexpected players contesting 16 matches.
Evgeniya Rodina, a qualifier, was one of those surprise packets, and she faced the unenviable task of battling the best of our time in Serena Williams.
Although ranked 25 for the tournament, Serena had played far above that ranking, and looked as dangerous as anyone in the draw.
Rodina did beat big serving Madison Keys (10) on the way to this encounter, but Serena would prove a much higher mountain to climb.
Serena opened the match by serving and immediately was in stride with a backhand winner down the line 30-15.
An off forehand down the line clinched the game 1-0 Williams
A return winner, followed by an off forehand stunner, gave Serena two break points. Just one was required 2-0
Wonderful forehand from the American, then an ace, helped Serena to a love game and a 3-0 lead.
A forehand winner from Rodina and Williams errors put the Russian on the scoreboard 1-3.
Double fault from Serena and 30-30, but an ace solved that for game point. Deuce after a Rodina forehand winner. Deuce again after another double fault. An ace and backhand put away sent it to 4-1
Rodina held serve well and trailed 2-4
A perfectly angled ace from Williams for 30-15. Errors from the Williams racquet and deuce. Break point after Williams found the net. Saved. Backhand cross court plus a forehand were winners to seal the game and put Serena just one away from the set.
A Rodina double fault and 0-30. A backhand wide and three set points. A second double fault and the opening set to Williams 6-2
Williams opened set two solidly, holding to 15, an ace for the game 1-0
Two return winners from Williams and 0-30. A Williams forehand forced an error and Rodina faced two break points. The second was converted and Williams led 2-0
Ace 15-0 Another ace for 30-15. A double fault 30-30. Ace 40-30. Fourth ace for the game 3-0
Errors throughout the next game but Rodina held and Williams led 3-1.
An ace from Williams was not enough to respond to some good returning by Rodina, and the Russian hit a forehand cross court winner to reach break point. The shot was applauded by Williams.
A brilliant Rodina forehand return winner sealed the unexpected break and games were back on serve, Williams leading 3-2.
An unhappy Serena Williams hit two outright winners, followed by an overhead for 0-40. A Rodina double fault and Williams broke for 4-2.
Serena consolidated the break, led 5-2, and Evgeniya would be serving to stay in the match.
The pair exchanged errors and Rodina led 30-15. A double fault and 30-30.
A stunning forehand from Serena and the first match point. A wide backhand from Rodina ended the match and Serena Williams won 6-2 6-2.
She will be a quarter finalist and play Camila Giorgi who defeated Ekaterina Makarova in their round of sixteen encounter.
Evgeniya Rodina moves up in the live rankings from 120 to 83, and closes in on her career high of 74.
In the live rankings, Serena Williams has moved from 181 to 88, and should she win her quarter final, she will move to 51.
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