By Erik Gudris | Tuesday, January 19, 2015
Defendng champion Serena Wiliams easily took care of business in her second round match at the Australian Open.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Too good.
That’s what the second round opponent of World No. 1 Serena Williams likely said to herself after being dismissed with ease at the Australian Open. For Williams, it was yet another clinical performance that earned her a milestone win at the Grand Slam.
More: Venus Fined $5000 For Skipping Press Conference
Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan entered this second round match hoping her doubles success might translate on the singles court. Hsieh owns two Grand Slam doubles titles to her credit. But even her somewhat unorthodox two-handed game provided little resistance to Williams.
The top seed took hold of an early break in the opening set. Though Williams was bothered at times by the early afternoon sun when serving, it didn’t stop her from eventually opening up a 4-1 lead.
Williams, later serving for the set, saved a break point by ripping a down the line backhand winner. A crosscourt backhand winner soon sealed the impressive 6-1 set for Williams in 28 minutes.
Hsieh tried to change things up throughout the match by mixing slices, spins, and drop shots during the rallies. But none of that had little impact on Williams who immediately broke Hsieh to start the second set.
Up 3-0, Williams found herself facing her last challenge when she fell behind 15-40 on her serve. But then Williams showed off her vintage comeback skill by firing off an ace, a big serve, another ace, and another hard serve to hold for 4-0.
Hsieh won a few more games that forced Williams to serve for it at 5-2. Yet, that proved a mere formality as Williams cracked her seventh ace on match point to complete the 6-1, 6-2 victory in just an hour.
Williams struck 26 winners to just 9 from Hsieh. Williams though will probably not be as happy serving only 52% first serves for the match.
The result gave Williams her 70th career win at the Australian Open. The Grand Slam has special meaning for the World No. 1.
“It all started here, this is where I played my first grand slam, right here on this court, and I'm still going,” Williams told Renee Stubbs right after during the on-court interview.
Williams is scheduled to next meet young Russian Daria Kasatkina in the third round. It marks the 14th straight year that Williams has reached this stage of the event.