Winning Williams awaits her fate as US Open probe continues

Oct 4, 2009, 14:20 GMT

Beijing - Serena Williams kept her cool as she kept up the pressure on WTA number one Dinara Safina, with both of the top pair of seeds rolling into the second round of the China Open Sunday.

Russia's Safina, who holds the number one ranking spot, hammered Italian Roberta Vinci. Williams crushed Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-5, 6-4 in her own winning start as she played for singles for the first time since a boilover against a lineswoman at the US Open which could yet have repercussions.

The American was fined a record 10,000 dollars for threatening to stuff a tennis ball down the women's throat after foot-fault call in a losing semi-final to Kim Clijsters.

The International Tennis Federation is currently investigating the ugly incident, classified as a 'major offence' and could issue sanctions which include a ban from one or more Grand Slams.

Williams said that she put the explosion behind her in time to win the New York doubles title 48 hours later. 'I put it behind me the moment it happened. I felt so great about winning the doubles, I thought it was perfect.

'It was a positive note so I was excited about that.'

While her immediate tennis future is up for discussion among authorities, Williams is keeping a low profile. 'I love fighting for every point, for everything,' she said.

Safina needs to stay ahead of the chasing Williams this week in order to hold onto her top ranking. The Russian sister of Marat Safin has taken criticism from some quarters after never having won a Grand Slam title.

Safina started with a Beijing victory after suffering a shock in the first round a week ago in Tokyo.

'I'm not thinking about ranking, just about the game. I think I'm the 16th, 17th in the world to reach number one so it doesn't matter when you achieve it.'

Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva, who won the Olympic gold medal at the Beijing venue a year ago and said her return to the site gives her goosebumps, advanced over German Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-4, 6-0.

But ailing Danish fifth seed and US Open semi-finalist Caroline Wozniacki lost 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 to María José Martínez Sánchez of Spain.

Men begin their half of the Beijing draw on Monday with Rafael Nadal the top seed.