Graphic: shot of the week

There’s a special affinity champions feel with the Centre Court. It’s hard to quantify but there are elements of affection, familiarity and a desire to relive those most special moments of your career. To me it was apparent throughout nearly all of Venus Williams’ very impressive passage through to the second week — and a potential sixth Wimbledon singles title.

From the evidence so far it will take a very good player to beat her. Apart from a few minutes at the start of the second set she was in complete control against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, who initially was obviously more than a little overawed by the experience of playing her first match in the famous arena.

I remember the way I always felt out there. It was as though I knew every blade of grass personally and the confidence that awareness gave me was so important. I’ve never asked Venus whether she feels the same but I know plenty of ex-champions that do; Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Roger Federer.

Suarez Navarro might have come from behind to knock Venus out of the Australian Open in January but there’s a world of difference between the feelings you get on Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena and Wimbledon’s Centre Court. There’s a hush, a reverence, everything seems so much closer. Whether that’s by design or simply good fortune, I cannot tell you, but when you have touched a trophy out there, the unique atmosphere always seems to spur you on to do it again.

Unfortunately it never happened again for me after winning in 1987 but Venus has done it three years out of the past four. To me she is one of the finest female athletes who has ever picked up a tennis racket, and she’s perfectly equipped to perform on this surface. Look at the length of those arms and you realise the reach she can call upon to pick off the wide passing shots. Witness those long legs that take her around the court in massive strides.

The 6-0 6-4 win against Suarez Navarro was a walk in the park for Venus. The quickness of the surface, particularly yesterday when the sun made the ground hard, suited her style. Anything dropped a fraction short was picked off in ruthless fashion. Then add into the equation that playing an increasing amount of doubles alongside her sister, Serena, means that Venus had pepped up her volleying skills, she presented an awesome sight at the net to her increasingly demoralised opponent.

Admittedly, I was concerned when I saw Venus walk out with all that strapping around her left knee. But her mobility did not appear to be compromised as she bounded around with the same enthusiasm she showed as the teenager that first made such an impression on the women’s game 12 years ago.

Venus’ next opponent could prove a lot harder. After a tricky time over the past few months, Ana Ivanovic seems to be recapturing the sort of game that took her to the semi-finals in 2007 and to the French Open title last year.

Three matches, three wins in straight sets. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to anyone but things are most certainly going the champion’s way.

MATCH OF THE WEEK HAAS BEATS CILIC 7-5, 7-5, 1-6, 6-7, 10-8

TOP-FLIGHT tennis players have to battle against two oppressive opponents; the person across the other side of the net and the demons that can cause total paralysis between the ears. After more than 12 years on the world tour Tommy Haas has clearly learnt how to deal with both.