London Olympics: Serena Williams has little trouble in 1st match

LONDON---It was an ideal match for an American tennis fan.

Decent weather. The setting was Wimbledon. And Serena Williams won in convincing fashion, beating Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, 6-3, 6-1, in the first round on Saturday afternoon.

Michelle Obama, welcome to the Olympic Games.

All in all, the first lady’s visit to Wimbledon appeared to be a successful one. She sat in Williams’ box, along with Dominique Dawes, the gymnast who competed in two Olympics in the ‘90s, winning gold in 1996. Obama was an excited supporter as Williams won her match in a little more than an hour.

PHOTOS: London Olympics | Day 1

That was about the only suspense ... if Jankovic could last an hour against Williams. Not long ago, Williams/Jankovic would have been a marquee match, not an opener. But Jankovic, a former No. 1, is clinging to a spot in the top 20.

Williams, who won on the Wimbledon grass just three weeks ago, hit eight aces and did not double fault once.

Proceedings did not go as smoothly for two other Americans in the first round. Santiago Giraldo of Colombia defeated Ryan Harrison, 7-5, 6-3, and Ana Ivanovic of Serbia beat Christina McHale, 6-4, 7-5.

Then there was the battle of tall and small. American John Isner beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium 7-6 (1), 6-4. Isner, who hit 24 aces, is 6-feet-9 and Rochus is 5-6.

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