Serena on song in WTA return at Stanford

STANFORD, United States, July 31 (AFP): Serena Williams put a worrying Wimbledon behind her Wednesday, launching her build-up to the US Open with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Karolina Pliskova at Stanford.
The American world number one, playing for the first time since her third-round singles exit at Wimbledon was followed by a dramatic doubles retirement, showed no sign of illness or rust as she rolled to victory over the 45th-ranked Czech in 64 minutes.
After enjoying a first-round bye, the top seed punched her ticket to the quarter-finals of the WTA hardcourt tournament, where she'll face the winner of Thursday's second-round match between former world number one Ana Ivanovic and Canadian qualifier Carol Zhao.
Second-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska was less successful in her first outing since a disappointing Wimbledon.
Unseeded Varvara Lepchenko toppled the world number five 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 for her first win over the Polish star in six career meetings.
Radwanska, in her first match since a fourth-round Wimbledon exit, squandered a 3-1 lead in the opening set.