Serena Williams shrugged off a troublesome shoulder injury as she eased past Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the US Open.
Williams admitted she has lacked practice coming into the final grand slam of the year but showed few signs of rust in Arthur Ashe Stadium, beating Makarova 6-3 6-3.
The world number one will now face fellow American Vania King in the second round.
Williams is bidding to win a 23rd major singles title, which would see her overtake Steffi Graf's Open era record and move one short of Margaret Court's all-time best.
After withdrawing from a tournament in Cincinnati last week, however, as well as an early exit at the Olympics, all eyes were on the top seed's physical condition as she opened the night session on Tuesday.
Williams appeared to deliver an ominous warning to her rivals as her right arm shot 12 aces and did not concede a single break point.
"I'll have to wait until (Wednesday) to see. I haven't been able to play that much since Wimbledon," Williams said after the match.
"I love coming out here in front of this New York crowd. It's super special. I got off to a really fast start - I wanted to get some momentum."
Source: PA
