18 August,2011 09:29 AM IST | | AFP
Serena Williams, on the rise after a layoff of nearly a year, notched her 12th straight victory on Tuesday in the first round of the Cincinnati hardcourt tennis tournament.
Williams, a former World No 1 and 13-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Czech Lucie Hradecka 6-3, 7-6 (7/5).
The American booked a second-round clash with Australian Samantha Stosur ufffd the woman Williams beat on Sunday in the championship match at Toronto.
Stosur, the 10th seed, advanced with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over qualifier Eleni Daniilidou of Greece.
Wozniacki loses
Meanwhile, World no 1 Caroline Wozniacki's disappointing preparations for the US Open continued as sheu00a0 lost 6-4, 7-5 to young American Christina McHale.
