This is how Venus Williams wanted to start the Olympics.
The unseeded American star knocked off Italy's Sara Errani, 6-3, 6-1 on Monday as she started her journey towards a record fourth gold medal in Olympic tennis.
Errani was the runner-up at the French Open and is ranked no. 9 in the world. Williams didn't care.
Comfortable on the Wimbledon court where she's won five grand slams, Williams moved on without truly being threatened.
Williams already has three Olympic gold medals after winning a gold in singles in 2000 and doubles titles with her sister, Serena, in 2000 and 2008.
Williams continues to battle an autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with last year that can cause fatigue. But if she can play like she did against a tough opponent in Errani, she could be the unseeded player none of the top seeds want to play.
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