London - Seven-time champion Serena Williams survived a scare to come through and reach the third round at Wimbledon on Thursday, beating Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The 37-year-old American -- bidding to join Margaret Court with a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title -- struggled to impose herself on an opponent ranked 133 in the world.
"She played well and then I started out a little slow," said Williams, who was watched by close friend, Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
"It brings the best out of me the pressure. I play best when I am down sometimes. I am a fighter I never give up."
Juvan showed few signs of nerves despite the reputation of her rival and being on Court One.
Williams made countless errors -- netting normally easy volleys and loose forehands -- allowing Juvan to keep her hopes alive even when she drew level at one set all.
The American, whose season has been affected by a knee problem, looked to be in control serving for the match having broken the 18-year-old twice.
However, the Slovenian, who beat star American teenager Coco Gauff to qualify for the French Open this year, fought mightily to break her.
However, Williams made no errors at the second opportunity serving for the match winning it to love.
Wimbledon results on Thursday (x denotes seeding):
Men
2nd round
Sam Querrey (USA) bt Andrey Rublev (RUS) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3
John Millman (AUS) bt Laslo Djere (SRB x31) 6-3, 6-2, 6-1
Tennys Sandgren (USA) bt Gilles Simon (FRA x20) 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 8-6
Fabio Fognini (ITA x12) bt Márton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3
João Sousa (POR) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x13) 6-4, 6-4, 6-4
Dan Evans (GBR) bt Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO x18) 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) bt Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-3
Rafael Nadal (ESP x3) bt Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x8) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR) 6-4, 6-4, 6-0
Steve Johnson (USA) bt Alex De Minaur (AUS x25) 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER x33) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2)
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) bt John Isner (USA x9) 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
Matteo Berrettini (ITA x17) bt Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3
Diego Schwartzman (ARG x24) bt Dominik Koepfer (GER) 6-0, 6-3, 7-5
Lucas Pouille (FRA x27) bt Grégoire Barrère (FRA) 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-4
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Jay Clarke (GBR) 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2
Women
2nd round
Ashleigh Barty (AUS x1) bt Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6-1, 6-3
Harriet Dart (GBR) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-1
Alison Riske (USA) bt Ivana Jorovic (SRB) 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7
Belinda Bencic (SUI x13) bt Kaia Kanepi (EST) 6-3, 6-1
Serena Williams (USA x11) bt Kaja Juvan (SLO) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Julia Goerges (GER x18) bt Varvara Flink (RUS) 6-1, 6-4
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP x30) bt Pauline Parmentier (FRA) 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4)
Lauren Davis (USA) bt Angelique Kerber (GER x5) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
Kiki Bertens (NED x4) bt Taylor Townsend (USA) 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2
Barbora Strycova (CZE) bt Laura Siegemund (GER) 6-3, 7-5
Elise Mertens (BEL x21) bt Monica Niculescu (ROU) 7-5, 6-0
Wang Qiang (CHN x15) bt Tamara Zidansek (SLO) 6-1, 6-2
Sloane Stephens (USA x9) bt Wang Yafan (CHN) 6-0, 6-2
Johanna Konta (GBR x19) bt Katerina Siniaková (CZE) 6-3, 6-4
Magda Linette (POL) bt Amanda Anisimova (USA x25) 6-4, 7-5
Petra Kvitova (CZE x6) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 7-5, 6-2
