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By Chris Oddo | Wednesday, January 21, 2015

 
Serena Williams, 2015 Australian Open

Serena Williams saved three set points then reeled off ten straight games to take down Vera Zvonareva on Day 4, 7-5, 6-0.

Photo Source: Corleve

Serena Williams turned a nailbiter into an old-fashioned beatdown in a manner of a few Melbourne minutes.

It’s what great champions are capable of doing.

Williams overcame three set points against Vera Zvonareva in the first set and didn’t look back, running off the final ten games to triumph 7-5, 6-0.

“She started out really well and I was a little passive,” said the five-time Australian Open champion, after her five-ace, 32-winner performance.

Williams struggled to find purpose and had difficulties with the sun in the early going, but after falling behind a break and three set points at 3-5, she took the play to Zvonareva. Williams would wiggle her way out of that game, sealing it with an ace and a self-exhortation, and never look back.

The Russian, who has been besieged by injuries including shoulder surgery, only played five events in 2014. But she was sharp and strong at the start of the match. At the very least, the close call in the first set should give the two-time Grand Slam finalist some confidence to move forward into the season with.

Williams will face either Elina Svitolina or Nicole Gibbs in the third round. If she makes the round of 16 she could be looking at a rematch with Spain’s Garbine Muguruza.

The Spaniard, who took out Williams at last year’s French Open, navigated a tricky scoreline to get past Daniela Hantuchova, 6-1, 1-6, 6-0.

 

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