WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Serena Williams beat Olga Govortsova 7-5, 6-0 on Saturday, and the United States swept the first-round singles to take a 2-0 lead over Belarus in the Fed Cup.
Christina McHale won in straight sets in the opening match before Williams put the Americans one win away from advancing in the best-of-five series in World Group II.
Williams won the first three games of the match, then struggled a little before holding serve for a 6-5 lead and breaking Govortsova, who double-faulted while already down love-40.
Govortsova seemed to have nothing left for the second set against Williams, who quickly ended it with her overpowering strokes.
McHale gave the Americans a 1-0 lead with a 6-0, 6-4 win over Anastasiya Yakimova.
