WILLIAMS 1-0 GATTO-MONTICONE Serena is up and running Wimbledon with a hold. It's far from routine as she's pushed to deuce by her little-known opponent.

Game, set and match!

Serena gets through her first round without dropping a set. She roars when she brings up match point, which is arguably the most entertaining one of the day as the two players exchange volleys at the net for an age. It wasn't Serena's most convincing day but a good workout.

Serena knows she's in a battle. She lets out a huge "COME ON!" after chasing down a drop shot and putting away a forehand winner.

She's level! Monticone is playing fearlessly now and wins her seventh game of the day against Serena.

It's not over yet!

Serena comes to net at 15-40 and somehow pushes a routine forehand long and this match goes on.

Serena has the break! Gatto-Monticone sends a backhand into the net and last year's finalist is serving for a place in the second round.

Gatto-Monticone survives the first two break points of the second set. The one-way traffic of 45 minutes ago is gone but Serena will still pull through here, barring a biblical miracle.

It wasn't long ago that Gatto-Monicone was in danger of being bagelled in the first set but she's grown into this match. She's undoubtedly gained confidence and the crowd give her a generous round of applause as she seals back-to-back holds.

Serena applauds Gatto-Monticone as she seals a hold to 15 with a turn of pace into the net to chase down a drop shot.

Gatto-Monticone's mini-revival is over for now. Serena's forehand is firing now and a break to love seals the first set.

Gatto-Monticone will be chuffed with herself here. She seals a break on the mighty Serena Williams serve with a backhand pass that the 23-time Grand Slam champion can only flail at.

Gatto-Monticone saves the first set point of the match then seals her first hold of the day with an ace down the T.

Williams is now 5-0 up and this was her most comfortable service game yet.

Williams is all over her opponent's serve and it feels like this might be a sort of blink-and-you'll-miss-it match.

It's another shaky service game for Serena which she comes out of unscathed. She was 15-40 down but rattled off four straight points to hold.

Serena has the early break! She is climbing right into the Gatto-Monticone serve and wins the game to 15.