Tennis

Australian Open: Serena Williams books third round spot

World number one Serena Williams, who is seeking to clinch her 19th Grand Slam title, has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after defeating Russia’s Vera Zvonareva in straight sets.

The American top seed had a rocky first set when Zvonareva went ahead 4-3 but but the 33 year-old bounced back to clinch the set 7-5, before romping through the second one with a 6-0 win.

The seven-time major singles champion will next face Italy’s Camila Georgi or Czech player Terza Smitkova depending on the outcome of their third round match.

Meanwhile, eighteenth seed Venus Williams has also advance to the third round of the Australian Open after defeating America’s Lauren Davis with a 6-2, 6-3 win.

Tennis Australia also announced that the Williams sisters will not be competing in the Women’s doubles after they withdrew before the first round of the competition.

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