MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Top-ranked Serena Williams extended her winning streak to 23 matches and cruised into the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Australian wildcard entry Ashleigh Barty on Monday night.
Williams, who collected 11 titles including two majors as she won 78 of her 82 matches in 2013, opened this season by defending her title at the Brisbane International and carried the momentum into Melbourne.
She needed only 31 minutes to win the first set, closing with a service winner that had the Australian teenager scrambling awkwardly.
The 17-time major winner wrapped up the match in 57 minutes on her second match point.
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