Five-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams has defeated a fighting Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-0, 6-4 on Thursday to progress to the third round.
Before a large crowd at a sun-filled Rod Laver Arena, Serena Williams looked in no mood to waste time as she raced to the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes.
However, Zahlavova Strycova grew into the match mid-way through the second set, finally holding serve and then breaking back after having conceded a break earlier in the set. The 12th seed, although looking fatigued, soaked up the pressure from the Czech player and closed out the match with a break point on her opponent's serve to win it 6-4.
Although the end result was convincing, the 46 minute second set showed that Zahlavova Strycova had the game to challenge the tiring Williams.
The American will have plenty to work on before her third round clash on Saturday, as she landed just 53 per cent of her first serves and made 22 unforced errors.
More to come.
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