Serena sprints into US Open third round against Sloane

• US Open second round, women’s singles
• S. Williams d. Gasparyan 6-2, 6-4
• Key stats: Williams broke serve six times in nine return games
• Why you should read this story: We break down the Williams-Stephens third-round showdown

Serena Williams was back to her clinical Serena Williams ways in the second round of the US Open on Thursday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-time Grand Slam champion turned in a no-nonsense performance and got the job done in straights against Margarita Gasparyan, advancing in one hour and 33 minutes.

Williams returned especially well, breaking the underdog Russian six times. The 38-year-old also fired seven aces as part of her 27 winners total.

Win #103@serenawilliams keeps rolling at the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Wme5wKKFyD

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2020

Next up for Williams is fellow US Open champion Sloane Stephens, a 6-2, 6-2 winner of Olga Govortsova. Stephens captured the title in New York City three years ago, while Williams has won this tournament seven times — most recently in 2016.

The elder American leads the head-to-head series 5-1, including 1-0 at Flushing Meadows (a 6-4, 6-1 result back in 2013). They have not faced each other since 2015.

Sloane Stephens. Serena Williams. Two #USOpen champs.

It’s on.@serenawilliams I @SloaneStephens pic.twitter.com/g2wrLqSmGB

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2020

• Also read: US Open day 3 recap
• Also read: Rejuvenated Pironkova upsets Muguruza to reach third round
• Also read: Pospisil finds top form to stun compatriot Raonic
• Also read: Hewitt protégé De Minaur downs veteran Gasquet to reach third round
• Also read: Denis Shapovalov exclusive – “I just had to get pumped for myself”