Serena Williams battles past Alize Cornet to reach last 16

Serena Williams remains on course to defend her Olympic title following a straight-sets triumph over Alize Cornet.

The world number one was made to fight by her French opponent but she eventually ran out a 7-6 6-2 victor in Rio de Janeiro.

Cornet holds a victory over Williams at Wimbledon, and the American would have been concerned that lightning could strike twice as her opponent matched her blow for blow in the opening set.

However, after they had traded six breaks of serve, Williams edged a tie-break 7-5 before establishing a 5-1 lead in the second set.

Cornet retrieved one of the breaks of serve but Williams struck again to set up a meeting with Elina Svitolina, who edged out Great Britain's Heather Watson earlier on Monday.