Two-time former champion Serena Williams made a slow start at Wimbledon on Monday before overcoming Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 7-5 6-3.

The sixth seed looked flat-footed and sprayed errors all over Court One during the first set against an opponent who reached the quarter-finals at the French Open earlier this month.

Williams saved a break point at 5-5 with a big forehand drive volley and sealed a scrappy opener when Kanepi lamely served a double-fault.

The 26-year-old broke early in the second set and played with more conviction from then on to wrap up victory.