Serena Williams has beaten second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round of the US Open in New York.
The American, who is seeded 17th, won 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 23 minutes.
Williams will face either France’s Kristina Mladenovic or Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the third round.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams, who is chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, has not been beyond the fourth round at a major since the 2018 Wimbledon.
The 37-year-old has been hampered by a series of injuries since returning to the tour after the birth of her daughter in September 2017.
But she has shown glimpses of her best form in recent weeks, reaching the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters last month.
Kontaveit, who is ranked 25th in the world, made a bright start in New York, winning the first two games of the match.
But Williams quickly took control and won six of the next seven games to take the first set.
The second set was tighter, with neither player able to gain a decisive advantage.
But Williams eventually broke Kontaveit’s serve in the ninth game and then served out for the match.
The victory was Williams’ first over Kontaveit in three attempts.
