(CNN) -- Serena Williams was detained on court for just 49 minutes in reaching the third round of the U.S. Open Thursday with a brutal demolition of Dutch qualifier Michaella Krajicek.
Williams, who is the favorite for the final grand slam of the season despite her lowly 28th seeding, brushed aside Krajicek, who is the younger sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard.
Williams wrapped up the first set in just 23 minutes with three breaks of service before Krajicek finally held at the start of the second.
It proved a false dawn as Williams continued to punish her with big serves and powerful returns and the end came inevitably with a thumping ace from the American.
Williams had nearly a year out through injury and illness, but has won two tournaments in the U.S. hard court season and looks to be back to the form which has seen her collect 13 grand slams.
The 29-year-old's thoughts are with her sister Venus who withdrew from the tournament Wednesday after revealing she suffers from the auto-immune disease Sjogren's Syndrome
"I know she's a fighter and she's really strong," Serena said. "She's great. I think she's really happy now that she knows what it is after all this time.
"I think, if anything, it's going to help her now to treat it and go forward."
A tougher test in the form of fourth seed Victoria Azarenka awaits Williams if the Belarus star can get past Argentina's Gisela Dulko later Thursday.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki needed just 63 minutes on court in her 6-2, 6-0 victory over Arantxa Rus from the Netherlands on Thursday evening.
The 21-year-old Dane will now play American Vania King for a place in the last 16.
In other early action, 11th seed Jelena Jankovic continued her impressive run with a 6-3 6-4 win over Jelena Dokic of Australia to reach the last 32.
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