WIMBLEDON, England - Laura Granville talked about Mary Pierce's presence, remembering what it was like watching Pierce on television winning the French Open so many years ago and gushing that Pierce was one of her idols.

The strange thing was, before yesterday's third round at Wimbledon, Granville had never seen Pierce play live.

But Granville got an up-close view, beating Pierce, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, and continuing a shocking run into the round of 16.

The 21-year-old from Chicago, who won two NCAA titles at Stanford University, has risen from Wimbledon's qualifiers to the tournament's second week at the All England Club.

Not bad for a player who couldn't even qualify for a grass-court tuneup in Birmingham, England.

"I think I've really had to dig down in a few matches, be tough and gut them out," Granville said.

On a day when two of the last three American men were sent packing from Wimbledon, Granville was one of four American women to roll into the round of 16.

Second seed Serena Williams slipped on the grass but played on in a tense victory over Els Callens of Belgium, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2).

"She had a good serve, a good return, so I wasn't surprised at all," Williams said of closeness.

Williams next plays Chanda Rubin, who ousted No. 21 Tatiana Panova, 6-4, 6-1.

"I have to attack even more," Rubin said about playing Williams. "But I'm going to have to be consistent and match her shot for shot."

Third seed Jennifer Capriati started slowly but wore down Daja Bedanova, 6-4, 6-2.

"She played exactly like I thought she'd play, except I didn't think she'd serve and volley as much as she did," Capriati said. "But I knew it was going to be a tough opponent."

Capriati next meets Eleni Daniilidou of Greece and is expected to cruise into the quarterfinals.

There, her opponent could be Granville. But first, Granville will have to take out Pierce's French compatriot, No. 9 Amelie Mauresmo.

"Well, my name is French so hopefully they won't hate me too much," Granville said at the prospect of upending the French Federation's top performers.

In truth, the unseeded Pierce was a prime upset candidate, a big name with a reputation built on old wins.

For Granville, the win was a giant leap in a career that is late-blooming by women's tennis standards. She went to college before hitting the tour.

In the past year she has learned to adapt to a rugged life on the road.

"I loved college because my teammates were always there and they were supporting me," she said. "Out here on the tour, you're on your own. Also, the level of competition is a lot higher."

Playing on the Challenger circuit, Granville said she has become "mentally tougher and tougher in matches."

How far can she go in the tournament? She's unsure. For now, though, Granville is amazed to be mentioned along with the likes of Williams and Capriati.

"Obviously, I can't be put in the same sentence as those two players," she said. "But it's really nice, really surprising, to get to this round."