Serena Williams advances to third round of U.S. Open

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams wore a girly-girl bright pink tennis dress Thursday at the U.S. Open, one that seemed suitable for a cocktail party but remained appropriate for Williams’ firebrand style of tennis.

At the same time her 30-year-old American contemporary Andy Roddick was announcing his retirement from tennis whenever his U.S. Open ends, Williams was pounding her way into the third round of the U.S. Open. Williams served 11 aces but also showed cleverness and perseverance while beating Spanish baseline wizard Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez, 6-2, 6-4.

Williams seemed unaffected by the left ankle that she had rolled Wednesday during a doubles match she played with her sister Venus. She had the ankle worked on twice while she and Venus won the doubles match.

But Williams, seeded fourth at this tournament and coming off championships last month at Wimbledon and the Olympics, seemed unfazed Thursday.

She chased down almost a dozen drop shots from her Martinez-Sanchez and countered with her own power.

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