Serena Williams happy to be favourite at Wimbledon

The world number one needed just 51 minutes to see off Chanelle Scheepers 6-1 6-1 at the All England Club.

Williams bowed out in the fourth round last year when she was beaten by Sabine Lisicki, but the 17-time grand slam champion has been billed as favourite to reclaim the women's singles title.

And the American will not be burdened by such high expectations being placed upon her.

She said: "It's tough. I'm always favourite and that can mean a little pressure. But it's okay, I've learnt to deal with it, and I'd rather be looked at that way."

Next up for Williams is a meeting with Alize Cornet, who beat her in the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February.

Williams is braced for a tough test from the French world number 24.

She said: "Well, Cornet, she does everything good. That's why she was able to get a good win off of me. She never gives up; she's a big fighter. She gets a lot of balls back.

"But I'm ready. It's time for me to step up my game and do what I know I can do and do what I'm best at."