US Open Tennis 2011 Results: Serena Williams vs. Bojana Jovanovski Highlights

Serena Williams, despite battling back from injury since last year's Wimbledon, has once again emerged as the clear-cut favorite in the 2011 U.S. Open.

After stepping on broken glass after last year's Wimbledon victory and suffering a hematoma and pulmonary embolism, Williams has roared back in 2011, winning the Bank of the West Classic and Rogers Cup.

On Tuesday against Bojana Jovanovski, Williams showed why she is the favorite.

RESULT

Williams was brilliant in the first round on Tuesday, defeating Jovanovski in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. She not only flashed her always-impressive power game, but showed a finesse game that has only recently entered the equation. It was remarkable to see a player like Williams, for so long dominant on primarily her physical skills, to show such a touch around the lines. She sliced, she even spun balls off the court.

Williams hit 22 winners and committed only 10 unforced errors in her 56-minute first-round victory, making it look strikingly easy.

After an injury that threatened to derail Williams' career, she's not only come back this year, she appears better than before, now understanding that she must become a more complete player if she is to play in her 30s.

STORYLINE

Let's be honest, the Williams-Jovanovski match on Wednesday was all about Williams. With 13 Grand Slam singles titles to her name, she only trails Steffi Graf, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in that category in women's tennis. While it has been hard to watch her older sister Venus go downhill since last season, Serena's resurgence has been magnificent to witness.

The reality of the matter is Williams would be ranked the No. 1 women's tennis player in the world at this point if she hadn't endured some bad luck last year. She's one of the top five women's players of all-time, and she continues to prove that each and every time she steps out onto the court  in 2011.

One of the biggest storylines this year was if Williams could bounce back. She has, and she looks better than we ever could have expected. The fact that she's added more of a finesse game to her repertoire, in a year when she has every right to be inching along after her injury, is remarkable, and it shows the true dedication and heart Williams has. Watch out, Williams is in line for her 14th Grand Slam singles title.

NEXT UP FOR SERENA WILLIAMS

Williams next faces Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek, the sister of 1996 Wimbledon champ Richard Krajicek. Like Jovanovski, Krajicek plays a power game. Unfortunately for Jovanovski, that doesn't work out too well for her. Williams has a better power game, has added the ability to spin balls away from her foes and is simply a much better player than Krajicek. I wouldn't be surprised if Williams beats Krajicek just as handily as her first-round foe. 

As for the rest of the tournament, it's likely no matter who Williams faces she will embarrass at this point. I'm thinking it's going to be Williams vs. Maria Sharapova in the final, with Williams hoisting the trophy in a competitive, but clearly one-sided affair. She's just playing too well right now for a rather lukewarm women's field to put up too much of a fight.