Serena storms through

Serena Williams was at her blistering best as she demolished Anastasia Rodionova in Stanford.

Awesome Williams blitzes Rodionova 6-0 6-0

Serena Williams demolished Anastasia Rodionova of Australia without losing a game in the first round of the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford. The American, down to 169 in the world following a year of injury problems, won 100% of points on her first serve and faced no break points in a 47-minute procession. Williams is playing in just her third event since she won Wimbledon last year, though she does plan to appear in Cincinnati and Toronto before the US Open. She next faces Russia's Maria Kirilenko, who beat German sixth seed Julia Goerges 6-2 6-3. "She's coming back and she's winning again," Kirilenko said of Williams. "I need to be focused every minute." Seventh seed and former world number one Ana Ivanovic also bowed out, slumping to a 6-3 7-5 loss against Ayumi Morita of Japan. Next up for Morita is Poland's Urszula Radwanska, who beat Olga Savchuk of Ukraine 6-4 6-2. There were also wins for Daniela Hantuchova, Sabine Lisicki and Marina Erakovic.