Williams' sister, sixth-seeded Venus, also advanced easily, beating Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-2.
Serena Williams’ record in the first round of the Slams is even more impressive than Federer’s — she has never lost an opener.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here“I was a little nervous today because that’s always on the back of my mind,” Williams said. “Records are meant to be broken. This one means a lot to me ... just to have an opportunity to have not lost yet in the first round of a Grand Slam — knock on wood — is really good for me.”
Williams’ demeanor was also far different than her last Grand Slam appearance at last year’s U.S Open. There, an outburst against a line judge who called her for a foot fault cost Williams the match, a record fine of $82,500 and a suspended ban which means she’ll miss a U.S. Open if she has another such outburst at any Grand Slam event in the next two years.
“I always said what I did wasn’t right ... I don’t know whoever got fined like that. People said worse, done worse. I just thought it was a bit much.”
The 28-year-old American hurt her left knee at the Sydney International last Friday night and later said she has been bothered by a foot problem. She played with her right thigh heavily wrapped with a white bandage Tuesday, but said it was more for a precaution.
Williams’ win in 73 minutes contrasted to what the WTA Tour said was a record for the longest women’s match at a major in the Open era. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic needed 4 hours, 19 minutes to beat Russia’s Regina Kulikova 7-6 (5), 6-7 (10), 6-3.
Elsewhere, No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, No. 11 Marion Bartoli, No. 13 Sam Stosur and No. 19 Nadia Petrova advanced along with No. 26 Aravane Rezai, who beat India’s Sania Mirza 6-4, 6-2.
No. 18 Virginie Razzano lost 6-2, 6-3 to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova and American Vania King ousted No. 23 Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5.
Melanie Oudin, the 18-year-old American who made a surprising run to last year’s U.S. Open quarterfinals, also went out in the first round, beaten 2-6, 7-5, 7-5 by Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia. Oudin has won just one WTA Tour match since the U.S. Open.
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