Women Tennis Update:

CHARLESTON

It was a surprisingly smooth swap from hardcourt of Miami to the Charleston clay for Serena Williams, who took advantage of a bye to reach the third round with an opening defeat of Italian Camila Giorgi 6-2, 6-3.

Williams, the world No.1, is defending her title on the hybrid Har-Tru green clay before getting serious on the real-deal red stuff in Europe prior to the French Open. While not on peak form, William was able to get the job done to win her 11th straight match at the tournament in which she last appeared in 2012 proceeded by 2008. Williams was helped by a dozen double-faults from her 85th-ranked opponent,

Romanian Sorana Cirstea joined Williams in advancing when Spanish opponent Anabel Medina Garrigues pulled up injured for their second-round contest and also withdrew from doubles due to a knee injury.

In the first round, Serbia’s Miami semi-finalist Jelena Jankovic, the ninth seed who once stood world No.1, beat one-time American hope Melanie Oudin 6-4, 5-6, 6-4 while German Julia Goerges, the No. 10, led compatriot Sabine Lisicki to a win. Goerges beat Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-3; Lisicki defeated Anna Tatishvili without the loss of a game.

British teenager Laura Robson got straight to work after playing the Miami doubles final, starting out her week by beating Estrella Cabeza Candela of Spain 6-2, 6-2. Two more Americans advanced at home as Vania King upset 14th seed Yaroslava Shvedova 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and Madison Keys stopped Alexandra Cadantu 7-6(3), 6-4.

MONTERREY

Japan’s Ayumi Morita was the only seed on court in early matches, with the No.8 advancing over Jana Cepelova of Slovakia), 6-0 6-1. Upcoming Serb prospect Jovana Jaksic put out Russian Vera Dushevina in a struggle, 4-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(2).

British-coached teen Donna Vekic (Croatia) claimed her third main-draw win of the season as she beat American Julia Cohen 6-0 6-4. Russian Alla Kudryavtseva advanced over Czech Eva Birnerova 6-4 6-3 and Miami qualifying lucky loser who got to the third round last week in Florida, won 6-2 when Russian Olga Puchkova retired.