Serena Williams was forced to battle past Britain's Heather Watson in the third round of Wimbledon ©Getty Images

Britain's number one Heather Watson produced a valiant performance to give world number one Serena Williams a major scare in the third round of Wimbledon at the All England Club.

The United States' star had been on course to claim a straightforward victory, having won the opening set 6-2  against an opponent roared on by a home crowd.

Buoyed by that home support at Centre Court, Watson sparked a revival in the second set as she rallied to level the match at one set apiece, winning 6-4. 

With Watson playing at the top of her game, the prospect of a major upset appeared on the cards with Williams, winner of both the Australian and French Open titles this year, in addition to her triumph at the 2014 US Open, appearing to be rattled by the Briton's form.

Despite Watson securing a double break in the deciding set, the American typically fought back, and while Watson was able to break again, the five-time champion eventually pulled through her ordeal to win 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

Men's world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia cruised through in straight sets again
Men's world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia cruised through in straight sets again ©AFP/Getty Images

The top seed's victory now means she is set to face her sister Venus Williams in the fourth round after she posted a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic.

One of Serena Williams' greatest rivals, Russia's Maria Sharapova, also made it through as she sealed a 6-3, 6-2 win over Romania's Irina-Camiela Begu.

Belarus' Victoria Azerenka, meanwhile, sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win over France's Kristina Mladenovic.

The men's draw has been largely without major shocks so far, however, despite Australia's number 26 seed Nick Kyrigos dumping out the seventh seed Milos Raonic of Canada 5-7, 7-5, 7-6, 6-3.

Elsewhere, Switzerland's Stan Warwrinka also secured victory in the men's draw, beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia thrashed Australia's Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

In one of the more surprising results, Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, a semi-finalist last year, fell to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to number 21 seed Richard Gasquet of France.



Related stories
July 2015: Nadal makes early Wimbledon exit for fourth consectutive year after defeat to qualifier Brown
July 2015: Defending champion Djokovic cruises into Wimbledon third round despite sweltering heat at All England Club
June 2015: Bouchard's woes continue as 2014 finalist dumped out in Wimbledon first round
June 2015: Hewitt's final Wimbledon appearance ends at first hurdle as top seeds progress