Serena Williams: Tennis Star Is Cruising Through 2012 Australian Open

Serena Williams reached a career milestone yesterday at the 2012 Australian Open, improving her overall record to 500-104 in tour matches, which is just another reason her competitors should fear her. 

Her 6-0, 6-4 win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova also marked the 16th consecutive match win at Melbourne Park, and she plans to keep that streak going. 

Despite suffering an ankle injury before the tournament began, Williams is trucking through the Grand Slam event, and that makes her even more of a threat. She's not quite 100 percent, but she's still giving it her all. 

Williams did have a scare in Thursday's easy victory, as she fell on the court. She told the Associated Press that everything was fine. 

"It's totally fine. It was my good ankle, so I'm good," she said. "There was no extra pain. I twisted it. But it's all taped up, so the tape really, really helped."

As the No. 12 seed in the 2012 Australian Open, Williams is a big sleeper that others should really worry about. Her preparation for the Grand Slam was hindered thanks to the ankle injury, but that doesn't mean she still can't win it all. 

Five of Williams' 13 Grand Slam titles have come at Melbourne Park, and there's a good chance she wins No. 6 this year. 

Women's tennis doesn't have a true dominant player like the men's side of things, which leaves the race wide open for Williams to sweep in and win. 

Caroline Wozniacki may be the No. 1 player in the world, but she doesn't strike fear in her opponents because she has never won a Grand Slam. 

Williams, on the other hand, has had a historic career, and women definitely fear her. The past couple years have been tough, though, battling through unexpected injuries, but she will always be an intimidating player. 

The 30-year-old is showing no signs of trouble in the early matches, and she'll keep thriving at the 2012 Australian Open because she's so dangerous on that court.