Williams uses cruise control against Czink

Published on Thursday 3 September 2009 22:37

DEFENDING champion Serena Williams powered her way into the US Open third round with a quickfire victory over Hungary's Melinda Czink.

World No2 Williams, bidding for a fourth US Open title and 12th grand slam of her career, took just 53 minutes to use her renowned heavy hitting and blast her way past the hapless Czink 6-1, 6-1 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Williams, also the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, was in complete control against the Hungarian, not allowing the underdog a single break point throughout the match, committing only nine unforced errors and winning the match on a double fault.

Williams, who will next play Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain in round three, was in understandably buoyant mood following her effortless victory, dancing on court as she milked the crowd's applause.

"I think I kept my unforced errors low tonight," Williams said as she pinpointed her biggest plus point from the win against a woman she had played at the end of July on a hard court and had won on a second-set tie-break.

"I played her a few weeks ago for the first time, so I knew her game better today. She's a really good player so I knew I had to play really good," she said.

In the other quarter of Serena's half of the draw, former champions Kim Clijsters and the champion's sister Venus stayed on course for a last-16 showdown at Flushing Meadows after both coming through their second round ties on Wednesday.

Third seed Williams, the 2000 and 2001 champion, booked her place in the third round with a 6-4, 6-2 win over fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Belgium's Clijsters, playing for the first time in New York since winning the women's singles title in 2005, having retired to start a family the following year, continued to show she is a dangerous wild card entry as she knocked out 14th seed Marion Bartoli of France 5-7 6-1 6-2.

Also out was France's Amelie Mauresmo, the 17th seed, beaten soundly by Canada's world No39 Aleksandra Wozniak, 6-4, 6-0, having been 4-3 up in the opening set.

Order had been maintained on the Grandstand court where seventh seed Vera Zvonereva won 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 against fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze while eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus saw off Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-2, 6-1. But then Australian Samantha Stosur took to the court and the 15th seed was knocked out 7-5, 6-4 by American wild card Vania King.

Italy's Flavia Pennetta, seeded tenth, needed just 50 minutes to record the first 'double bagel' of the tournament, beating India's Sania Mirza 6-0, 6-0 on Louis Armstrong Court.