Venus Williams has cruised into the second round of the Italian Open after thrashing Katerina Siniakova in straight sets.
The Czech teenager failed to break her 14th-seeded opponent's serve as she was vanquished 6-2 6-2 in the space of an hour and 17 minutes.
Williams, a Rome champion in 1999 and runner-up in 1998, ended a two-match losing streak thanks to her disposal of the 19-year-old Siniakova and remains on course to claim the £1.7m prize in Italy.
The American will meet either Elina Svitolina or Flavia Pennetta in the next stage.
