Wimbledon 2016: Serena Williams beats Amra Sadikovic in first round
Wednesday 29 June 2016 09:28, UK
Serena Williams began the defence of her Wimbledon title with a dominant 6-2 6-4 first round victory over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic.
Williams is bidding to draw level with Steffi Graf's Open-era record of 22 singles titles and has been thwarted since claiming number 21 at the All England Club last year with victory over Garbine Muguruza.
The American has been beaten in both the Australian and French Open finals this year but kicked off her bid for a sixth Wimbledon title with a routine success against world number 148 Sadikovic who decided to retire in 2014 to work at a tennis club in Basel only to return to the tour.
Despite struggling on serve with only four aces and five double faults, Williams had more than enough to come through and set up a second round meeting, with fellow American Christina McHale.
"I never underestimate anyone," said Williams.
"It was a really good match but I don't think it was tougher than I thought. It was definitely tough, but I always expect the best from everyone.
"I started fast, that's about it," Williams said when asked what positives she took from her performance.
Williams finished with 19 winners but also had 18 unforced errors, was animated throughout the match as she tried to lift her game.
"I'm always shouting at myself and pushing myself, so it's absolutely nothing different," she said.
Johanna Konta looked to be heading for victory until rain stopped play, with the British No 1 leading Monica Puig 6-1 2-1.
British wild card Tara Moore won her first match at a Grand Slam, beating Alison Van Uytvanck 6-3 6-2.
The world 227 will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in round two after she won 7-5 6-4 against Caroline Wozniacki.
Sixth seed Roberta Vinci was given a tougher work-out than Williams before coming through in three sets against Alison Riske while 19th seed Dominika Cibulkova was a comfortable straight sets winner, underlining her potential on grass having claimed the Eastbourne title last week - she saw off Mirijana Lucic-Baroni 7-5 6-3.
Katie Swan, 17, was beaten on her Grand Slam debut, losing 6-2 6-3 to Timea Babos.
