Serena Williams vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova: Score and Reaction from 2016 Wimbledon

Wimbledon favourite Serena Williams battled her way to a 7-5, 6-0 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova on Monday, overcoming an early challenge from her rival to book her spot in the quarter-finals.

Kuznetsova kept things close until the end of the first set, when rain forced the Centre Court roof to be closed. The Russian star cracked completely after the delay, losing every single game on her way out of the tournament. 

As shared by Wimbledon's official Twitter account, Williams and Kuznetsova have a rich history on the court:

Despite playing on back-to-back days, Williams appeared as sharp as ever early. She easily held serve in the opening game and immediately earned break points in the second, using clean groundstrokes to get her opponent moving.

A long forehand allowed Kuznetsova some reprieve, but the 31-year-old double-faulted to keep the pressure on. She eventually held serve, but it was clear she was struggling with Williams' raw power.

The top seed found the break she needed in the fourth game, punishing Kuznetsova for some groundstrokes that failed to find the right distance and setting up an epic fifth game of the set.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Williams had already hit five aces entering the game, but suddenly, Kuznetsova found her range in the return game. The Russian star had one break chance after another but kept running into fantastic serves to the outside before finally pushing her advantage and breaking back.

She held serve to tie things up soon after, to the delight of Live Tennis:

"

#Kuznetsova holds for 3-3 & battle is joined on Centre Court. History between these two stretches back to 2004. pic.twitter.com/X8pj1tsAZZ

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) July 4, 2016"

Williams' serve was clicking, and she quickly worked her way through the seventh game, but Kuznetsova started to grow in confidence on her own serve, holding for love for the first time in the match.

She battled her way to another break chance in the following game and took full advantage, sending Williams sliding to the ground after she reacted fast to an ill-advised drop shot. Live Tennis noticed Kuznetsova started taking more chances on Williams' second serve:

"

#Kuznetsova up for this. She's attacking the #SerenaWilliams second serve - & breaks after an odd rally! pic.twitter.com/KkOQyRjvtM

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) July 4, 2016"

A short burst of rain seemed to play a part in Williams' slip, but it lasted just a few seconds, and the match couldn't be stopped. The umpire came out of the chair to check the court in between games, but the surface seemed just fine, so play continued.

Kuznetsova frustrated Williams by changing up the pace of the match, using slices and drop shots, but serving for the set, she appeared to lose her focus. Another double-fault and a poor slice gave the top seed two break chances, and an almost identical slice into the net tied things up again.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

The rain returned after the game, and once again, the umpire left her chair, and while she initially urged the two to play on, both left the court for their seats. A ballboy slipped trying to retrieve a ball immediately after, showing just how treacherous the conditions were. Per the Guardian's Alan Smith, the crowd on Centre Court loved it:

The umpire kept making the rounds without arriving at a decision, and after a lengthy delay, the roof was finally closed.

The closed roof gave Williams an advantage, as there were no outside factors influencing her serve. She gave up a break chance in her first serve game back, however, but held serve and broke Kuznetsova in the following game to wrap up the set.

According to Steve Tignor of Tennis Magazine, Kuznetsova put up a good fight, but Williams' strong play was too much:

Kuznetsova seemed to crack early in the second set. Williams shifted gear, firing more of her serves into her opponent's body, and in the return game, she stepped up into the court more.

Another break came almost immediately, and in no time, Williams pushed her advantage to three games with some superb tennis.

Live Tennis liked what it saw:

"

#Serena up a double break at 4-0. Not perfect, but pulling off a LOT of good stuff... > https://t.co/ba0dV8zDtB pic.twitter.com/PZ5sOpR7xO

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) July 4, 2016"

Kuznetsova's spirit broke completely, and she barely won another point, as Williams finished the job to book her quarter-final spot.

Per Giuseppe Muro of the London Evening Standard, she addressed the rough playing conditions after the match: 

"

It was really tricky out there. Even though it was not raining hard, on the grass you can fall easily so it became difficult.

It was really good to win. She has played well against me in the past so I knew I had to play well to win.

"

Kuznetsova was expected to give Williams one of her tougher challenges ahead of the semi-finals, but the top seed sent a clear warning shot to the rest of the field with her fantastic showing in the second set.

Williams will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the next round on Tuesday, making it three matches in three consecutive days.