Serena Williams needed only 44 minutes to see off Australian Samantha Stosur on Tuesday as she has been ranked as one of the top favorites for the gold medal especially after Serb Ana  Ivanovic had pulled out.

Serena Williams from the USA reacts after winning a point against Samantha Stosur from Australia during a women's singles tennis match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 12, 2008 in Beijing.[Agencies]

Seeded fourth in women's draw, Williams broke at 3-2 and had the game in complete control, reeling off the last 10 games.

The 2000 doubles winner will take on 12th seed Alize Cornet from France, who dismissed a vociferous home crowd before outclassing China's Peng Shuai 6-2, 6-2.

"Well, I think she's really talented. I think she's playing well. I look forward to it. I haven't played  her in a while and never played her on hard. It won't be easy, and I love a challenge, " Serena said.

"It's an honor to compete in the Olympics. It's been great. Obviously I'm playing for a medal, but I have  to get there first. That will be the ultimate goal for me."

In another early match on the Centre Court, Venus Williams also enjoyed an easy win, subduing Czech Iveta  Benesova 6-1, 6-4.

The Czech did not even have a break point opportunity while Venus broke three times of all her eight  opportunities.

The American double-faulted six times but got make-up from her 15 winners.

Elsewhere, Italian Francesca Schiavone outclassed eighth seed Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland, 6-3, 7-6(6) and Denish sensation Caroline Wozniacki knocked out 10th seed Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-1, 6-3.

"It's very good. I mean I feel like I played a good game and I'm so happy that I won over Hantuchova. It's  a great win for me. I mean she is a very good player. It's amazing," said the 18-year-old Wozniacki, now  ranked 22nd in the world and claiming her first career title in Stockholm a week ago.

Her reward might be a meeting with Elena Dementieva in the next round.

"I mean every round is very strong and every player is very good. We play here to represent our countries, that's great. So I have to play my best to win every match, but right now I just want to celebrate that I won  today. I will think about my next match tomorrow."