by JAMES OLLEY , The Evening Standard

As if to underline the progress both have made in the intervening period, today the pair meet on Centre Court as No8 seed Azarenka looks to continue the form that has propelled her to a current career-high ranking.

It may surprise some observers to learn that bookmakers widely regard the 19-year-old as the principal threat to the Williams sisters and have placed her third in the betting for SW19 glory as a result.

Azarenka has enjoyed a breakthrough year to date, winning her first three titles in Brisbane, Memphis and Miami with a mixture of powerful hitting and a fearless attitude that has taken her into the top ten.

Roland Garros witnessed the Belarusian's first quarter-final and a narrow three-set defeat to world No1 and eventual finalist Dinara Safina highlighted both her potential to mix it with the top players but also that there remains room for improvement.

"I've been playing a little better every tournament," said the world No8, who won both last year's meeting with Cirstea and their only other encounter at the 2008 French Open.

"Each is different with new challenges, new opportunities and new experiences. You can't always keep going uphill, there will always be a few downs but I'm happy with everything I've achieved so far."

That achievement continued with smooth progress here at Wimbledon, where Severine Bremond Beltrame, of France, was forced to retire injured after losing the first set 6-2 before a second-round demolition of Romania's Ioana Raluca Olaru.

Azarenka did not drop a single game against Olaru, raising expectation of a run deep into the second week.

"I guess I have a good chance now but I don't feel any pressure," she said. "It is always important to go step by step. There are still a lot of good players in the draw. I don't put myself in the position where I have to go as far as the quarter-finals or semi-finals. If I do better than that then that's great." Standing in her way is another player galvanised by events at this year's French Open. Cirstea beat two members of the top ten ? Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic ? to also reach her first slam quarter-final, where the occasion appeared to get the better of her as she lost to Samantha Stosur, of Australia.

The 19-year-old Romanian still reached a career-best No27 in the world and although her grass-court preparations were hampered by a back injury which forced her to withdraw from the AEGON Classic in Birmingham, Cirstea proved she is in rude health with two confident displays against Edina Gallovits, of Romania, in round one and then close friend Sania Mirza on Wednesday.

Those looking for finesse and craft may wish to look elsewhere as both are powerful baseliners who decide if hitting the ball hard is not working, they simply hit it harder.

Such an attitude perhaps reveals a nervousness in the big moments and Azarenka admits questions over her mental toughness have some foundation.

"I just have to learn how to play better in these moments," she said. "It's all experience, which I have to learn from."

Whether Azarenka has the self-belief to push the Williams sisters is debatable but there is a growing feeling within the sport that she can challenge their dominance her and is a grand slam champion in the making.

Perhaps the All England Club agree with her star potential. After all, today Serena was pushed out to Court Two.

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