Serena Williams gave compatriot Nicole Gibbs a lesson in grand slam tennis with a 6-1 6-3 towelling to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Serena Williams celebrates victory over Nicole Gibbs. Photo: Photosport
Having passed her earlier tests against more accomplished players, Williams had far too many weapons for the 92nd-ranked Gibbs, who appeared overawed by the occasion on a sun-drenched Rod Laver Arena.
Williams suffered a brief lapse when serving for the match at 5-2 and was broken for the first time, but she promptly broke back to close out the one-sided contest in just over an hour.
Williams next faces Czech 16th seed Barbora Strycova for a place in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's Marcus Daniell and his Brazillian doubles partner Marcelo Demoliner secured an upset second round victory over the sixth seeds.
Marcus Daniell and Marcelo Demoliner during the ASB Classic Photo: Photosport
The pair came from behind in the second set to defeat Raven Klaasen of South Africa and the American Rajeev Ram 6-1 7-6.
In the third round, Daniell and Demoliner face the unseeded Australian team of Sam Groth and Chris Guccione.
- Reuters
