Serena Williams began her quest for a third straight US Open title with a convincing win over American teenager Taylor Townsend.
Williams
described 18-year-old Townsend as the future of tennis ahead of the
meeting but showed she is still very much the present in a 6-3 6-1
victory.
Left-handed
Townsend loves to attack the net but the power of Williams kept her
pinned back for the most part, with only the occasional glimpse of her
precocious ball striking.
Pleased as punch: Serena Williams celebrates her 6-3 6-1 victory over Taylor Townsend at the US Open
Roar: Wearing a leopard skin dress, Williams surged into the second round in just 55 minutes
Hair-raising: Williams has struggled in the Grand Slams this year but is targeting a third straight US Open
World
No 1 Williams has a huge amount riding on this tournament given her
poor record in grand slams this season but she was calm and composed and
played at a high level throughout.
Her serve in particular gave Townsend, who reached the third round of the French Open, all sorts of problems.
Williams dropped just five points on serve in the whole match and eased to victory after 55 minutes.
Teenage kicks: Townsend, 18. was unable to handle the Williams serve but her opponent tipped her for a great future in the game
Power: Williams sends down another formidable serve at Flushing Meadows
The
32-year-old, who has never won three consecutive titles at any grand
slam, said: 'I just come out and play. This was the first slam I won and
I love to come back. I never want to stop.
'Taylor's
incredibly talented. She's such a great person, I love her and I love
that there's so many great Americans. We have such a great future and we
have so much to look forward to.'
Williams next meets another American, 25-year-old Vania King.
