Serena Williams Struggles But Wins at Wimbledon

This was not the Serena Williams the tennis world is used to seeing on Centre Court. It was still good enough for the defending Wimbledon champion to advance to the second round in straight sets.

Struggling on serve and failing to dominate against a 148th-ranked Swiss qualifier playing in her first Grand Slam tournament, Williams labored to a 6-2, 6-4 victory Tuesday over Amra Sadikovic -- the 80th match win of her Wimbledon career.

What looked on paper like a complete mismatch turned into a tighter contest than expected.

"I never underestimate anyone," said Williams, who had only four aces and served five double faults. "It was a really good match, but I don't think it was tougher than I thought. It was definitely tough, but I always expect the best from everyone."

With her mother, Oracene Price, watching from the Royal Box, the six-time Wimbledon champion jumped out to a 3-0 lead, running off 13 points in a row at one stage, defying her reputation as a slow starter.

"I started fast -- that's about it," Williams said when asked what positives she took from her performance.

The 27-year-old Sadikovic, who decided to retire in 2014 to work at a tennis club in Basel but eventually was talked into returning to the tour, made things tricky for Williams. She took a 2-1 lead in the second set and stayed even until the final game, when she was broken while serving at 4-5.

The match ended on a successful line challenge by Williams after she hit a backhand return that was called long. After the video replay showed the ball hit the back of the line, Williams grinned and threw up her arms in triumph.

Murray Executes Opening Win

"Is that all you got?" Ivan Lendl joked after Andy Murray smashed a ball his way in practice on Tuesday morning.

There was the usual banter as the world No.2's coach kept the mood light during final preparations and then it was strictly business once Murray stepped out on Wimbledon's Centre Court against Liam Broady.

Murray showed Lendl exactly what's in his locker as they bid for a second title here together. He executed a clinical 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over his wild card opponent, in what was the first all-British meeting at a Grand Slam since 2006, and first at Wimbledon since 2001.

The Scot got almost everything right Tuesday -- apart from a slip up in his postmatch press conference after rain disrupted much of the day's play.

"I'm happy I got done in three sets. If that had gone to four, potentially I'd have to hang around and wait," he said. "Actually, I wouldn't. I had the roof. Wouldn't have to worry about that!"

Murray's timing on court was perfect, though: he managed to beat the bad weather by a matter of minutes, having got the job done in less than two hours. As soon as the players walked off, the covers came on and the roof moved into place.