Serena Williams Has Strong Start at Italian Open

Serena Williams got her clay-court season off to a strong start with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 51st-ranked Anna-Lena Friedsam in the second round of the Italian Open on Tuesday.

Having missed the Madrid Open last week due to a fever, top-ranked Williams showed no signs of illness, sending down crushing returns of serve for winners and dictating the long rallies.

"I love the clay, and it just really felt good out there tonight," Williams said. "I was really happy with my level. I think I was really consistent. ... I was really concerned how it would be just running and moving and recovering. But it was fun."

A 21-time Grand Slam winner, Williams hasn't won a title since a hard-court event in Cincinnati last August.

Williams was beaten by Angelique Kerber in this year's Australian Open final and then fell to Victoria Azarenka in the title-match in Indian Wells, California. In her only other appearance this year, Williams lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round of the Miami Open.

A three-time Rome champion, Williams is warming up for the French Open, which starts in 12 days.

Djokovic Step Away From $100 Million in Earnings

Novak Djokovic is one title - or five days - away from becoming the first tennis star to smash the $US100 million prize money barrier.

Djokovic's domination in 2016 has helped the Serb surge ahead of Roger Federer on the list of the sport's highest on-court earners and to within $US727,657 of the magical mark.

If he successfully defends his Rome crown this week to collect a fifth trophy in the Italian capital - and sixth title this season - the world No.1 will crack $100 million, a feat only Federer has come close to managing.

The Swiss superstar has earned $US97,958,429 in prize money during his 17-year, 17-slam career, compared to Djokovic's $US99,272,343.