( CNN ) -- For the serious contenders at grand slams , it 's all about trying to advance with minimal fuss in the first week . That way they have plenty of energy left for when the competition picks up in the second week . Serena Williams certainly is n't messing around in the early stages of this year 's U.S. Open . After crushing Taylor Townsend -- a potentially tricky opponent -- in the first round in 55 minutes , Williams routed another fellow American , Vania King , 6-1 6-0 in 56 minutes Thursday to reach the third round . Men 's No . 1 Novak Djokovic made quick work of his opponent , too , dispatching Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-1 6-3 6-0 . This grand slam is big for Williams . Even though she has won 17 majors , none have come in 2014 and she did n't progress to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open , French Open and Wimbledon . But New York could once again bring Williams joy -- she is the two-time defending champion . The top seed 's only problems against King came in her first service game , when Williams hit three double faults in windy conditions . Williams ' path to the final got a little easier when Ana Ivanovic was upset by big-serving Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-5 6-4 and Samantha Stosur -- who defeated Williams in the 2011 final -- blew match points and lost to Estonia 's Kaia Kanepi in a third-set tiebreak . Ivanovic and Stosur were in Williams ' quarter . Just how potent is Pliskova 's serve ? She trailed only Williams in aces heading into the tournament . Still , it marks more grand slam disappointment for Ivanovic , the eighth seed and a former No . 1 . Despite occupying the final spot in the race for the year-end championships , Ivanovic crashed out early at Roland Garros , Wimbledon and now the U.S. Open . `` I do put a lot of expectations on myself , '' Ivanovic told reporters . `` I tried to overanalyze and overthink instead of just playing the game . `` It 's a work in process . But I think I have potential to do well '' at grand slams `` and that 's something I want to change for next year . '' Almost forgotten this year is Victoria Azarenka , since she 's missed most of 2014 with a foot injury and this month dealt with a knee complaint . The two-time finalist , however , rallied from a break down in the first set and then cruised past Christina McHale 6-3 6-2 . `` It 's always going to take time to rebuild , '' Azarenka told reporters . `` I feel like I 'm improving day to day . `` I play much better than I played a month ago . So that 's important . ''
Serena Williams crushes Evan King at the U.S. Open on grass . Williams loses just one game in the 56-minute second - set rout in New York . The U.S. Open is Williams ' last opportunity to win a major this year . Her chances ended after Ana Ivanovic was upset in straight sets .