Champion Venus Williams cranked up the power on Saturday to thunder into the fourth round of Wimbledon on Saturday, beating Spanish qualifier Maria Martinez Sanchez 6-1 7-5.

The American, pursuing a fifth title at the All England Club, appeared to be in a hurry to join sister Serena in the last 16 and went about her task with ruthless efficiency.

Left hander Martinez Sanchez had taken a set off Venus in their only previous meeting but during the first 22 minutes of their contest on Saturday it seemed she might be heading for a dreaded whitewash.

Venus raced into a 5-0 lead and though Martinez Sanchez briefly interrupted the run to win her first game, the 28-year-old American sealed the set with a 188 kph serve.