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By Chris Oddo | Tuesday May 10, 2016

 
Serena Williams, Rome 2016

Serena Williams showed no signs of rust in taking out Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam in Rome.

Photo Source: Tennis TV

In her first match in seven weeks world No. 1 Serena Williams showed very little rust in taking down German Anna-Lena Friedsam, 6-4, 6-3 in second-round action at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome.

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Williams, who had not played since dropping a tough three-set decision to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Miami Open in March, was forced to pull out of Madrid last week with the flu.

Williams was strong from the start on Tuesday at Rome, dropping just three points on serve in the first set and making a break in the third game of the set stand up.

Friedsam would threaten early in the second set but Williams saved a break point to level at one game apiece before breaking in the next game for 2-1. The German redoubled her efforts and hit back in the next game, breaking behind a firmly struck return that elicited a forehand error from Williams for 2-2.

Friedsam's momentum would prove to be short-lived, however.

Williams broke back immediately for 3-2, then again in the final game of the match to close affairs in 75 minutes.

Williams finished with 27 winners against 18 unforced errors to go with seven aces.

The three-time Rome champion will face either Ana Ivanovic or Christina McHale in the third round.

Notes, Numbers:

Williams is in her 169th consecutive week at No. 1, just 17 weeks behind Steffi Graf's all-time record of 186.

Williams has gone 71-4 since the start of 2012 on clay.


 

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