Born: 26/9/81 Nationality: American Seeded: 1 World ranking: 1 Wimbledon best: Winner (2002) Recent record: 2002: Winner 2001: Quarter-finals 2000: Semi-finals

The younger of the Williams sisters returns to defend her title, having established herself as the sport's best player by some considerable distance.

It was a year ago that the powerful right-hander confirmed her position as world number one by winning the Wimbledon trophy without dropping a set.

Since then, she has gone from strength to strength, claiming her fourth straight Grand Slam title with victory at the Australian Open in January.

But the 22-year-old's aura of invincibility still flickers from time to time as Justine Henin-Hardenne proved when she defeated Serena in the semi-final of the French Open.

Williams was also beaten by the Belgian in the final of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston.

However, Williams knows that come the big occasion, there is no other player that can rival her mental and physical prowess.