enus Williams overcame the challenge of rising Chinese star Peng Shuai on Thursday, winning 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
Peng, who last week defeated world number three Anastasia Myskina on her way to the Sydney semi-finals, gained the early advantage, breaking in the opening game when Williams netted a double-handed backhand.
But Williams broke back immediately in a lengthy second game before asserting her authority to advance.
Williams saw the match as an improvement on her first round struggle against Eleni Daniilidou. "Still had a few errors," said Williams. "I definitely want to bring those down. But just in general I think my game was very solid.
"I think when I needed my serve, it was there. When I needed to get to the ball, I was there. When I needed to make my shots so.
"You can't expect every match to be perfect. First round for me still was a very good match because I got to hit a lot of balls. With each match I'm playing better, serving better, returning better.
"My movement's top-notch. Basically, just on the up-and-up."
Peng meanwhile took positives from the defeat.
"This is the first time I've played Venus," she said. "I'd watched her on tv before, but to play on the centre court in a grand slam was completely different, it was a great experience."
Earlier Peng had made like awkward for Williams.
The rallies were often long and furiously contested, and the 19-year old from China struck the ball as powerfully as Williams and kept her on the run.
But it was Williams who dominated the middle of the first set, taking a 3-1 lead on her fourth break point and then claiming eight of the next nine points to lead 5-1.
Although eighth-seeded Williams failed to serve out the set or to convert two set points at 5-2, she sealed the set at her next opportunity.
Williams broke to lead the second set 1-0, but then showed signs of frustration as she struggled to consolidate her lead.
Her anxiety was relieved when she hit a forehand smash to earn a second break for 4-1 and, although Peng continued to challenge her with some blistering returns and powerful groundstrokes, a winning return gave Williams victory on her second match point.