Wimbledon 2009: Serena Williams sees off Jarmila Groth easily

Now that Maria Sharapova – the most threatening of the invading squadron of -ovas – is out, the competition is opening up for Serena Williams.

The American, a winner here in 2002 and 2003 and the reigning Australian and American champion, looks as if she has paced herself nicely to add a third grand slam to her current portfolio.

She certainly made short work of the Australian world number 69 Jarmila Groth, dispatching her from the second round in under an hour 6-2, 6-1.

It was a scarily powerful performance by the younger of the Williams sisters. Strong in the serve, muscular in the ground strokes, there seemed little wrong with her game.

The crowd in number one court, mind, seemed unmoved by her, preferring to cheer Miss Groth's rare moments of supremacy. It is to be expected. Wimbledon has never been a hotbed of Williams fervour.

But this was not the standard anti-sister behaviour of the regulars. It was more out of sympathy for the Australian, they were naturally siding with her in the manner you might with a baby rabbit about to be pounced on by a particularly powerful lioness. Not that in other circumstances you might mistake Groth for a timid creature of fragility.

Stout of stance, broad of shoulder, wide of hip, she gave the ball some heft. In any other company you might consider her a sizeable talent. But next to Serena, she looked an also ran. Her fastest serve registered some 105mph.

Williams was topping 115mph. Her passing shots fell within reach of her opponent, Williams's always hit the back boards. And far too often, Groth made errors. Twice in her service game which lost her the first set she doubled faulted. Against a predator as serious as Serena, an opponent simply cannot hope to win if they gift her games.

And Serena was giving nothing away. There is a particular note in her grunt when she hits the spot, a triumphant yodel as an ace smacks at the back boards.

It was there all match as she sent the Aussie back home to contemplate the inadequacies of the women's division. Like watching Chelsea, there is something compelling in her power.

Frankly, in this match Serena had more problems with the buttons of the ridiculous mac she wears on to court than she did her opponent: this is a woman on target.