WTA Brisbane - Serena, Stosur remain on course for semi-final clash

Former world no. 1 Serena Williams played for the first time since the US Open and showed that she is ready to battle with the game’s best for the Australian Open title later this month.

The 30 year old American was a straight sets winner over Chanelle Scheepers, winning 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Brisbane International in Brisbane, Australia on Monday.

“I was a little rusty, not playing since the US Open, but I think I did well,” Williams said. “I played a really good player today. It wasn’t an easy first round at all. She’s had some great wins and I can definitely see why. I’ve taken some of the rust off – I definitely have tons of room for improvement though.”

Next up for Williams is the young Serb Bojana Jovanovski. “She’s a good player. I played her at the US Open, so she knows my game now,” Williams said. “I saw her practicing yesterday and she’s slamming the ball and moving really well. She’s getting ready to play some good matches.”

Also advancing on Monday were Samantha Stosur, the top seed and the woman who beat Serena in that US Open final, and no. 2 seeded Andrea Petkovic. Serena and Stosur could meet again in the semi-finals here on the weekend.

Stosur overpowered Anastasiya Yakimova, 62 63 while the German scored a 76(2) 16 63 victory over Israel’s Shahar Peer. “It was really tough, but I expected a tough match,” Petkovic said. “I know Shahar very well. She’s tough from both sides and her backhand is really a weapon. I’m lucky I was able to get through this match today.”

Ana Ivanovic also won on Monday, beating Tamira Paszek 6-3, 6-3 to set up a blockbuster second round encounter against another former world no. 1 Kim Clijsters, who won her first round on Monday.

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL – Brisbane, Australia

Monday, January 2, 2012 – Singles – First Round(1) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) 62 63(2) Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Shahar Peer (ISR) 76(2) 16 63(4) Serena Williams (USA) d. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA) 62 63(6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 64 62(7) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Polona Hercog (SLO) 61 41 ret. (low back injury)Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Tamira Paszek (AUT) 63 63Kaia Kanepi (EST) d. (Q) Alexandra Panova (RUS) 75 36 62Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. (WC) Olivia Rogowska (AUS) 62 46 64Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) d. (Q) Vera Dushevina (RUS) 60 60(Q) Vania King (USA) d. Melinda Czink (HUN) 63 64(Q) Nina Bratchikova (RUS) d. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 16 64 75