American Serena Williams barged her way into the second round at Wimbledon on Monday with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Portuguese qualifier Neuza Silva.

The second seed, seeking her third title at the All England Club, looked far from her most fluent against a 26-year-old making her first appearance in a grand slam, but had plenty in hand as she wrapped up victory in 74 minutes.

Silva gave away the opener in tame fashion but found her feet in the second, Serena making the crucial and only break in the 12th and final game when her inexperienced opponent netted a backhand.

Williams will now face Australia's Jarmila Groth for a place in the third round.