Three-time champion Venus Williams came back from a break down in the last two sets to avoid a major first-round surprise on Tuesday against a Russian teenager playing her first match at Wimbledon. In men’s play, second-seeded Rafael Nadal and former champion Lleyton Hewitt were among the winners.

The Wimbledon seeding committee got this one just right. The top four seeded players have advanced to the women’s semifinals at Wimbledon. It’s only the fifth time in 25 years that the semis have featured the elite four. On Thursday, 2004 champion Sharapova will play Mauresmo, and Clijsters will face Henin-Hardenne in the 20th career match between the Belgian rivals.