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AMERICAN ACE: Serena Williams

SERENA WILLIAMS' bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam Singles crown saw her overpower ex-world no.1 Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-1 at the US Open on Monday (Aug 26).

The American ace, competing at New York's Flushing Meadows for the first time since her controversial row with the chair umpire during last year's shock final defeat to Japan's Naomi Osaka, was unrelenting in rattling off the points with aplomb.

The much-hyped blockbuster 1st round clash always favoured the no.8 seed over the Russian, having won their past 18 encounters, and ended up being a lopsided tie.

Williams opened the one-sided affair by thumping down an ace with her first serve and swiftly reeled off the opening game.

Sharapova held her nerve and her serve to immediately level matters, but failed to win another service game until the third game of the second set because of numerous mistimed and shaky shots.

And 32-year-old Sharapova was soon staring at defeat, nervously delivering a double fault at the start of what proved to be the final game that was concluded when she overhit a backhand once again.

Sharapova has dropped to world no.87 because of her injury-hit season that included shoulder surgery in February.

Buoyant Williams, still in pursuit of another major Singles title to tie the record set by Australian Margaret Court, showed no signs of the back spasms that forced her to retire in tears from the Toronto Open final just over a fortnight ago.

In fact, the six-time US Open champion's movement was a noticeable improvement on her run to this Wimbledon's final and arguably her strongest since her return from maternity leave last season.

She has lost three Grand Slam Singles finals since capturing the 2017 Australian Open, halted twice at Wimbledon and last year at Flushing Meadows, so is eager to end that unwanted track record and win a 24th Grand Slam Singles crown.

Next up for the 37-year-old will be compatriot Caty McNally, who as a wild card on her debut stunned Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets.