Serena wins in California

CARSON, Calif., July 21 (UPI) -- Two-time champion Serena Williams reached the third round Wednesday at the J.P. Morgan Chase Open

Williams, the No. 1 seed who won this event in 1999 and 2000, defeated Eleni Daniilidou 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in her first match since losing to Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon final three weeks ago.

Williams' third-round opponent will be Spaniard Arantxa Parra Santonja, a 6-0, 7-6 (7-2) winner over German Anca Barna.

Also reaching the third round was Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over Maria Vento-Kabchi.

Jelena Kostanic surprised ninth-seeded Patty Schnyder 6-1, 7-6 (7-5). Amy Frazier advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 decision against Barbara Schett.