New York (AFP) - Five-time champion Serena Williams reached the US Open last 16 on Saturday with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over fellow American Varvara Lepchenko.
Williams, who has failed to add to her stash of 17 Grand Slam titles at the year's first three majors, survived blustery winds and the difficulties posed by Lepchenko's left-handed game to advance in one hour and 35 minutes.
She'll face Estonia's Kaia Kanepi for a place in the quarter-finals.