Serena Williams into round four at US Open

Serena Williams has sealed a place in round four of the US Open thanks to a straight-sets triumph over Ekaterina Makarova in New York.

After a tight start which saw the Russian show plenty of confidence, Williams found a break late on to clinch the set 6-4.

However, it was a different story in the second as the American fourth seed was at her powerful best to come through 6-0.

Waiting for the three-time champion in the next round will be either Maria Kirilenko or Andrea Hlavackova.