Williams through in straight sets

Venus Williams claimed her second consecutive straight sets win to start her Australian Open campaign as she eased past Austria's Sybille Bammer today.

The 29-year-old has never won at Melbourne Park, but after losing just four games in her opening match against Lucie Safarova the sixth seed was again impressive in a 6-2 7-5 victory.

Bammer had only once previously made it past the second round at the Australian Open and never looked like changing that as Williams took control hitting 32 winners compared to just four from her opponent.

Williams will next play the winner of tonight's match between Australian Casey Dellacqua and Karolina Sprem, neither of whom are seeded, in the last 32.

Two breaks of serve ensured Williams coasted through the opening set as Bammer's cautious approach allowed her to dictate play.

The Austrian, one of three mothers in the main draw along with Kim Clijsters and Rossana De La Rios, clinched a break in the second to take a 3-1 lead, but after failing to take another break-point chance the wheels fell off her challenge.

Williams reeled off the next four games to edge ahead for the first time in the set and then won the final two games to love to seal her passage.