Defending champion Serena Williams kicks off Wimbledon campaign in style
SERENA WILLIAMS displayed brute strength as she swatted aside Mandy Minella 6-1, 6-3 in her first round match at Wimbledon.
The defending champion needed just 57 minutes to wrap up victory on Centre Court.
Williams, whose build-up to SW19 was dominated by her controversial magazine interview with Rolling Stone, put that to the back of her mind as she made a bold statement.
The French Open champion built up steam early in the first set and dominated on her serve.
After clinching the first set inside 20 minutes, Williams tried to kick on in the second. Though she chastised herself with some unforced errors by shouting 'Come On', she proved too strong for her opponent ranked 92 in the world.
Minella tried to hang on in there and while she saved two match points, she gifted Williams the match after sending a forehand long.
Though admitting the transition from clay to grass was difficult, Williams said it was great to be back at the scene where she captured both the Wimbledon and Olympic titles.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: "It was really special coming out as defending champ. Winning here last year was a great moment for me, but also winning the Olympics here means it's really special.
"I never think about what happened in the past, I just think about what's to come when I step out on court.