Serena returns to action with win

Serena Williams was all smiles despite not being 100% fit

Serena Williams returned from a month on the sidelines after gum surgery with a straight-sets win over Tzipora Obziler at the Bangalore Open in India.

The American moved into the quarter-finals with a 7-5 6-0 victory over her Israeli opponent.

Williams now faces Russian Anastasia Rodionova, who beat sixth-seeded Austrian Sybille Bammer 7-6 6-2.

"I am happy to be in India and playing because, to be frank, I am not feeling 100% fit," said Williams.

"It took me time to settle down. I started making some errors and the balls were flying.

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"She definitely gave a lot of pace, but she was not consistent and I did not get my rhythm.

"The strings were loose (on my racquet) and once I got a tighter one, I played my usual game."

Obziler managed two breaks of serve in the first set but Williams broke back immediately both times and she found her timing in the second set to win easily.

Top seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and number two Venus Williams - who could meet Serena in the semi-finals - will both be in action on Thursday.