Williams sisters happy as women given center stage

[July 05, 2018]  By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Venus Williams said she was 'overjoyed' that Wimbledon organizers gave women the spotlight on the tournament's main showcourts on Wednesday.

Five of the seven matches on Center Court and Court One on day three were women's singles, although one of them was a late change after the Center Court program ended early.

It did not escape the attention of five-time champion Williams, who beat Romanian qualifier Alexandra Dulgheru on Court One to move into the third round.

"I was really overjoyed when I saw the schedule for today. We have a lot of equal play on the main courts in the other three grand slams," the American veteran said.

"It was just fantastic to see Wimbledon also follow suit. It's wonderful to hopefully have that continue, to have equal for the men and the women."

Wimbledon has come under fire in the past for sending top women's seeds, including Venus and sister Serena, out to the smaller courts.

While the club said there has not been a change in policy women's matches have outnumbered men's on the biggest courts so far at this year's tournament.

Seven-times champion Serena beat Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova on Center Court on Wednesday, having opened on Monday against Arantxa Rus on Court One.

She echoed her sister's sentiments.

"I think it's wonderful," she said. "For so many years it was just two men's, one women's.

Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the U.S. celebrate after winning their first round doubles match against Japan's Shuko Aoyama and Miyu Kato REUTERS/Charles Platiau

"Now it's several women out there playing. I think it's a great opportunity. Just really proud to be here and play at a tournament that can recognize that."

Thursday's Center Court and Court One program favors the men, however, although three-times champion Novak Djokovic will find himself on Court Two.

Of the seven matches scheduled for the two main showcourts on day four, including Marin Cilic's unfinished second-round clash with Guido Pella, only two are women's singles.

Top seed Simona Halep will play Zheng Saisai on Court One while home hope Johanna Konta plays Dominica Cibulkova on Center Court after Rafa Nadal opens the program.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

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