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U.S. Open results: Serena Williams begins quest for record with first-round victory

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Serena Williams took her first step toward history on Tuesday, beating her first-round opponent in straight sets at the U.S. Open.

Williams, the No. 1 player in the world, handily defeated Russia's Ekaterina Makarova, 6-3, 6-3 -- the first step on her way to an Open era record 23rd career major title.

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Serena Williams had little trouble in the first round of the U.S. Open. USATSI

The 34-year-old took home her seventh Wimbledon singles title in July, but is coming off a third-round loss at the 2016 Rio Olympics.