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.

Venus Williams of the U.S. returns the ball to Naomi Cavaday of Britain at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London June 24, 2008. (Reuters Photo)

Serving at 40-0 up on her opening service game, the seventh seed was irritated by an insect buzzing around her ankles, and Cavaday raced through the next five points to break and led 3-1 before Williams restored normal service.

"I was about to serve. I felt something on my leg. I looked down. It was a bee, a big old bumblebee," said Williams, who reeled off the last six games to book her place in round two.

"I didn't want it to sting me... then I ended up losing that service game, so I guess the bumble bee got me off to a bad start," she said.

Compatriot Lindsay Davenport, the 25th seed, who returned to the grass court major following a two-year absence, pulled off a 6-3, 5-7 and 6-3 win over Renata Voracova.

Jelena Jankovic, who hopes to join fellow Serbs Ana Ivanovic and Novak Djokovic in the grand slam winner's circle, opened her account with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ukraine's Olga Savchuk.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2008)