Serena makes Cincinnati Rd 2

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

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.

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