Serena Williams overcame an erratic performance at the Australian Open on Wednesday to beat Slovenian Tamara Zidansek 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the third round.

The 38-year-old American, who is bidding for a record 24th grand slam singles title, was hardly troubled in the first set as she broke Zadan-sek twice to wrap up the opener in just over half an hour to set up a meeting with china’s Wang Qiang.

Teenage sensation Coco Gauff survived a three-set thriller against Sorana Cirstea to book a third-round showdown with defending champion Naomi Osaka for the second grand slam in a row.

The 15-year-old American hauled herself back into the match after going a set down, rallying for a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over the Romanian.

While Britain’s heather Watson showed tremendous fight to reach the second round with 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 triumph in blustery conditions against Kristyna Pliskova.

On the men’s side, third seed roger Federer hit winners at will in an imperious display as he cantered into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 thumping of Serb Filip Krajinovic.

Next up for Federer, will be a meeting against local hope john Millman, ….. Federer accepts that his next opponent is a tough competitor.

And in another game on the male side British number one Dan Evans,  lost 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in his second-round match.