Serena Williams produced a typically dominant display to beat Taylor Townsend 6-3 6-1 in the first round of the US Open in New York.

Despite looking solid in her opening service game, Townsend was soon on the back foot as Williams claimed a break of serve to take an early 2-1 lead.

Townsend was simply unable to cause the same problems when Williams was serving, and appeared powerless to prevent the top seed from breaking again on her way to success in the opener.

Williams edged a step closer to what seemed an inevitable victory by securing another break of serve early in the second set as her 18-year-old American rival struggled to produce a response.

The defending champion, searching for her sixth title in New York, would only concede five points on serve in the entire match, and her dominance was evident once again as she broke again before confirming the win in less than an hour.