Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic recovered from a slow start to beat Aravane Rezai of France 6-3 6-1 and reach the third round of the US Open on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Serb trailed 3-1 in the opening set but stormed back to set up a meeting with Russian Vera Dushevina.
"It was a very slow start for me," Ivanovic told reporters.
"I was a little bit nervous and I was going for a bit too much. Then as the match went on I got a little bit in the rhythm and took my opportunities."
Ivanovic dropped her serve in the opening game but, from 3-1 down, reeled off eight straight games to lead by a set and 3-0.
World number 61 Rezai, who reached the fourth round last year, held serve in the fourth game before Ivanovic eased to victory.
Ivanovic, who became at the French Open this year the first Serbian to reach a grand slam singles final, lost to Williams in the semi-finals at Wimbledon and could meet the American again in the fourth round.
The 19-year-old said her expectations were not quite so high this time.
"It's not a secret that my part of the draw is much harder," Ivanovic said. "But I feel very good physically and also mentally and think I am playing well at the moment.
"My first goal is to reach the second week, do better than last year (third round). Hopefully I can win my next match and then play Venus again."
