Clijsters through as ailing Zvonereva retires

Kim Clijsters reached the last 16 at Wimbledon on Friday when Russia's Vera Zvonereva was forced to retire through illness trailing 6-3 4-3 in their third-round match.

Belgian Clijsters, the former world number one who is playing her farewell Wimbledon, dominated the 12th seed who left the court for treatment after suffering breathing problems.

The 29-year-old Clijsters, Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2003 and 2006, controlled the match as Zvonereva, runner-up at the All England Club two years ago, made 28 unforced errors.

Clijsters, ranked 47th in the world, will play eighth seed Angelique Kerber in the last 16.

Reuters