Wimbledon 2019: Serena Williams storms into second round after crushing qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone

SERENA WILLIAMS has stormed into the second round of Wimbledon after crushing qualifier Giulia Gatto-Monticone in straight-sets.

THE American No11 seed, 37, wasted no time as she broke her opponent three times in the first set alone.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion ensured she made a statement as she thumped her Italian opponent in no time at all.

Williams moved to 5-0 and nearly completed the bagel on Centre Court.

But she lost the sixth game on Gatto-Monticone’s serve, before being broken herself.

Clearly furious, the American legend – set to play mixed doubles with Andy Murray – broke back immediately to seal the set 6-2.

The second set started more evenly, with both players holding serve – until the eighth game.

SERENA, NO VENUS

Williams finally tightened her grasp on the match as she broke after a long rally at deuce-advantage.

The veteran superstar then simply had to serve out for game, set and match – and failed, as Gatto-Monticone showed some grit and determination.

Ultimately though, the perennial champion prevailed 6-2 7-5 – breaking the Italian in what turned out to be the final game of the match – as one Williams sister made it into round two.

On the win, Serena claimed: “She really took it to me, it was really good to play matches like this as I haven’t played a lot of matches this year.

While Serena celebrated it was bad news for big sister Venus – who was stunned by 15-year-old wonder-kid Coco Gauff on day one.

After her heroics against the 39-year-old, Gauff beamed: “My motto is ‘just wing it’.

“We’re all going to die one day, I just want to make the most of it.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the little moments because those are the moments that kind of turn out big when you look back in life.”