Seven-time champ Serena Williams gets smooth draw at Wimbledon

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2017, file photo, United States' Serena Williams makes a backhand return to her sister Venus during the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia. Serena Williams is expected to compete in the Wimbledon tennis tournament that begins Monday, July 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File) London • Serena Williams avoided any early matchups against opponents with success to speak of at Wimbledon in a draw on Friday that could put her against No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina in the third round.

Williams is returning to the grass-court tournament for the first time since 2016 after missing it last year while pregnant. She gave birth…