Serena powers into second round
WIMBLEDON
Date: 22 June - 5 July
Coverage: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC HD, Red Button, website streaming (UK only) and text commentary, 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC iPlayer
| By Piers Newbery at Wimbledon |
 Serena Williams is trying to win the title for the first time since 2003 |
Two-time champion Serena Williams made short work of Portuguese qualifier Neuza Silva in round one at Wimbledon.
The American, 27, saw off the world number 154, 6-1 7-5, in one hour 13 minutes in the opening women's match on Centre Court.
Williams is in the opposite half of the draw to her sister Venus, the defending and five-time champion, and world number one Dinara Safina.
She will face Lucie Safarova or Jarmila Groth in the second round.
Williams raced into a 4-0 lead against Silva, who was making her Grand Slam singles debut after coming through qualifying.
 | 606: DEBATE Will Serena win her third title? |
The 26-year-old from Portugal looked down and out when she slipped on the turf while falling a double-break down at 4-0, and Williams wrapped up the first set in just 27 minutes.
But the 2002 and 2003 champion lost focus early in the second, with her forehand especially error-prone, and Silva grew in confidence as the set progressed, saving a break point to move to 4-4.
Williams was not to be denied though, and after netting a backhand on her first match point in game 10 a heavy return did the job two games later.
"I always expect a tough match, she's come through qualifying," Williams told BBC Sport. "For me it's always fun to win, easy or difficult."
