Serena Williams Storms Through Opening Match

5 months ago 23rd Jun 10:23

Serena Williams made light work of her first round opponent as she powered to a 6-1 7-5 victory in just over an hour.

The number two seed was the first women's match on Centre Court and she mad light work of her opponent Neuza Silva, who has a ranking of 154.

Silva looked nervous as she began her match and Serena too full advantage as she raced to a 4-0 lead before sealing the set in under thirty minutes.

But the twenty six year old from Portugal managed to pull herself together as the former champion seemed to lose her focus and concentration as Silva saved a break point to level the set at 4-4.

However Williams was in no mood to play a third set sealing the set 7-5.

The second seed is clearly in form after an up and down clay season and is now a major threat for the Wimbledon. She is in the opposite side of the draw to sister Venus and world number one Dinara Safina.

It was back to winning ways at SW19 for former champion Maria Sharapova had se saw off Viktoriya Kutuzova in straight sets 7-5 6-4.

But the first set didn't start well for Sharapova, who is the 24th seed at the tournament, as she trailed 4-1 but Sharapova battled back.

Having been off the tour for the best part of a year recovering from shoulder injury she looked in fine form as she finally found her range and fought back to take the first set 7-5.

Kutuzova didn't give in as she had a break of serve at the beginning of the second set but Sharavopva was too strong as she opened up a 4-2 lead.

But Kutuzova refused to accept the defeat that was coming her way as she took another break of serve but it wasn't to be enough as the former champion took the second set 6-4.

There was trouble for fourth seed Elena Dementieva in her first match as her Russian compatriot raced to a 4-2 lead in the opening set.

But Dementieva finally settled as she broke to level at 4-4 from there she faced little resistance as she took the first set 6-4 and then the second 6-1.

It was a good day for the seeds as Nadia Petrova, the 10th seed, overcame Anastasiya Yakimova 6-1 6-1 and after taking the first set 6-2 Victoria Azarenka progressed into the second round when her opponent Severine Bremond Beltrame retired injured.

23rd seed Aleksandra Wozniak was the big casualty of the day as she crashed out 6-4 4-6 6-4 to Francesca Schiavone.