Seventh seed Serena Williams survived a trip to the 'Graveyard of Champions' to advance to the second round of Wimbledon on Monday.
The American, the winner here in 2002 and 2003, overcame some nervy moments in the first set before cruising through the second to see off Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino 7-5 6-0 on court two - an arena renowned for staging the demise of former winners at SW19.
A steady start by both women was interrupted by a 90-minute rain delay with the score at 3-3.
When the players returned, Williams struggled to regain any rhythm. A host of poor ground strokes gifted Dominguez Lino two break-points in the ninth game, the second of which she took when the American pushed another woeful forehand wide.
But Williams broke back immediately and coasted through her next service game to reassert her authority at 6-5 and place the pressure firmly back on the Spaniard.
Dominguez Lino buckled as Williams finally began to show the kind of power game which has carried her to seven grand slam titles.
An early break in the second set confirmed Williams' superiority and she never looked back.
Two further breaks followed as Williams cruised through.
