Serena powers past Schiavone

Serena Williams looked every inch the title favourite as she powered past Francesca Schiavone in the first round of the US Open.

The pair opened the night session on Arthur Ashe, with top seed Williams beginning the defence of the trophy she won for a fourth time 12 months ago.

The 31-year-old has won eight titles already this season, including the French Open, and former Roland Garros champion Schiavone simply had no answer.

She won just six points in the first set as Williams sent the ball flying to all corners of the court with immense power and precision.

For a long time it looked like Schiavone would not win a single game as Williams made it 10 games in a row.

She had a point for an eleventh, which would have left her serving for the match, but this time Schiavone held off her opponent and finally got on the board with a forehand volley.

But that was as good as it got for the Italian as Williams wrapped up a 6-0 6-1 victory after exactly an hour when Schiavone put a forehand long.

Next up for Williams is Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva.