Serena Williams Beats Safarova, Sails to Third Round of Aus Open

Williams will now face Nicole Gibbs for a place in the fourth round.

Serena Williams (Photo: AP)

Serena Williams charged into the third round of the Australian Open with an emphatic 6-3 6-4 win over Czech Lucie Safarova on Thursday.

The second seeded American, bidding for a seventh title at Melbourne Park, served up a storm, clubbing 15 aces and 35 winners in the 86-minute contest under the lights at Rod Laver Arena.

Williams blew two match points in an uncharacteristic lapse but closed it out on the third with a searing forehand down the line that Safarova did well to get a racket to.

Williams next faces Nicole Gibbs for a place in the fourth round.