World number one Serena Williams began her 2015 Wimbledon campaign with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan, recovering from a slow start to ease into the second round.
The five-time champions, who is looking for her fourth straight title, was not at her best during the match and was forced to save six break points before winning the match.
The top seeded player said she knew that Gasparyan would be a good competitor.
“Obviously when you’re winning three matches in qualifying you’re ready to go the distance, and playing me she had nothing to lose. She played really good,” the Guardian quoted Serena as saying.
This was the 73rd singles victory for Serena at the Wimbledon and she now equals her sister Venus’ tally.
Serena will next play either Timea Babos of Hungary or Czech Petra Cetkovska in the next round. (ANI)