Serena into Wimbledon third round

Defending champion Serena Williams eased past teenager Caroline Garcia to reach the Wimbledon third round today where she’ll face 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm, the oldest woman in the last 32 in the Open era.

Top seed Williams extended her winning streak to 33 matches, just two behind the record set by sister Venus in 2000, with a 6-3, 6-2 win over French 19-year-old Garcia, who she also beat at the French Open.

Williams, 31, chasing a sixth Wimbledon title and 17th major, wrapped up victory in 67 minutes with 30 winners and nine aces.

Date-Krumm reached the third round, 17 years after her last appearance, with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Romania’s Alexandra Cadantu, 19 years the Japanese’s junior.

Despite their many years on tour, Williams and Date-Krumm have never played each other on the tour.

“Kimiko is so incredibly fit and inspiring. I have never played her but I watched her when I was super-young,” said Williams after winning her 599th career match.

“Venus has played her, so I will definitely be talking to her about it.”