ROME -- Serena Williams beat 46th-ranked Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-3 at the Italian Open for her 14th consecutive victory, following titles in Charleston, S.C., and Madrid -- and two wins in Fed Cup.
Also, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and defending champion Maria Sharapova won in straight sets at Foro Italico to reach the third round.
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Kvitova overcame eight double-faults to beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 7-5, 6-4 in her opening match. Kvitova struggled in the bright sunshine but still managed to dictate play with her attacking game.
"I didn't feel very well and so I am happy I won, and I know where there is space where I can improve before the next round," she said.
Sharapova held off a strong challenge from Christina McHale, beating the American 7-5, 7-5. Venus Williams eliminated Simona Halep of Romania 6-3, 6-4.
"It was different than last week," Williams said, referring to the court in Madrid, where she lost in the second round. "I sort of had to make some adjustments to get used to this court.
"It was kind of windy and with the shadows it was kind of tough to see the ball and it made it very difficult and so I was happy that I finished it well," Williams added.
Two-time champion Jelena Jankovic lost 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
