WImbledon 2013: defending champion Serena Williams advances to second round after defeating Mandy Minella

Defending Wimbledon champion Serena Williams eased through to the second round with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Mandy Minella in her opening bout which lasted less than an hour.

By Telegraph Sport, and agencies

Off to a flier: Serena Williams took less than an hour to win her opening-round match on the road to defending her Wimbledon crown Photo: AFP

The 31-year-old, a five-time winner at the All England Club, was able to turn her attention to on-court battles on Tuesday, and took just 57 minutes to demolish her 22-year-old Luxembourgian opponent.
Williams may have wished she could have spent a little longer on Centre Court, if only to delay a post-match press conference it which it would be hard to avoid talk around her public spat with Maria Sharapova.

The feud dominated the build-up to the Championships and stems from an interview the American did with Rolling Stone magazine. But she would not let the off-court issues dominate the press conference.
"For me, it's the greatest moment for a tennis player, to walk out on Centre Court," she said after her first match at Wimbledon since winning Olympic gold last year. "That was such a great moment too. So many great memories on this court."
Williams improved her career record to 68-8 at the All England Club and extended her career-best winning streak to 32 matches, which included her second French Open title.

"I don't think about it," Williams said about her streak. "Every single time I step out on the court it's a new match."
Fresh from winning the French Open just a few weeks ago, Williams did not drop a single point on her serve in a first set she wrapped up in a mere 19 minutes.
The American looked set to continue the rout when play resumed, only for world number 92 Minella to make a brief comeback.

Playing just her seventh match on grass in a career spanning nearly 12 years, the Luxembourgian took the first game of the second set before then breaking her esteemed opponent.
Williams quickly rallied, though, winning the next four games, and while Minella briefly responded by winning her fourth service game of the set Williams went on to win with ease, setting up a second-round clash with France's Caroline Garcia.
(Edited by Oliver Pickup)



source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/10141436/WImbledon-2013-defending-champion-Serena-Williams-advances-to-second-round-after-defeating-Mandy-Minella.html
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