Serena powers into third round

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fourth seed Serena Williams swept into the third round of the U.S. Open on Thursday, wiping out Russian Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-1 to stay on track for a quarter final showdown with her sister Venus.

Both sisters had an easy ride into the third round of the tournament that they have each won twice -- Venus in 2000 and 2001, Serena in 1999 and 2002.

Serena put on a powerful display against 71st ranked Vesnina, hammering in six aces in the 58 minute match.

Vesnina rallied briefly to break Serena's serve and narrow the American's lead to 5-1 in the second set, but the former world number one broke right back to end it.

She will meet Ai Sugiyama in the third round.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)