Serena on song in WTA return at Stanford

August 01, 2014 00:00:00

STANFORD, California: Serena Williams plays against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during Day 3 of the Bank of the West Classic at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium here Wednesday. — AFP Photo

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.