Serena Williams makes assured start in Istanbul

The opening day of play at the WTA Championships in Istanbul did nothing to alter Serena Williams’ status as the hot favourite to finish her season with yet another title.

Williams began her defence of the Billie Jean King Trophy with a crushing win over Angelique Kerber while second seed Victoria Azarenka struggled past Sara Errani.

Williams’ 6-3 6-1 victory over German Kerber lasted only an hour and four minutes – substantially quicker than the first set between Azarenka and Errani in the opening round-robin match at the 16,000-seat Sinan Erdem Dome.

The final match of the evening saw 2011 champion Petra Kvitova defeat third seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-4. Kerber is the only player in the red group ever to have beaten Williams, and one of only four different players the American has lost to since Wimbledon last year. That came in Cincinnati last summer but there was never any danger of a repeat and Williams reeled off the first three games.

Kerber lost all her group matches on her debut at the season-ending tournament 12 months ago and she made a bad start to the second set when, after a long game, she double-faulted twice to hand Williams another break.

The American has won the title on her two most recent appearances, in 2009 and 2012, and she lost just three points on first serve as she wrapped up victory with the minimum of fuss.

Williams has been in Turkey practising since Saturday, and she said: “It’s good to get here and feel the conditions. I have played here before, so I think that helped.” The 32-year-old is bidding for her 11th title this year.