Serena Williams is determined to maintain the same approach from a decade ago when she first won the US Open.

Defending champion Williams began her quest for a fourth US Open crown by cruising to victory over fellow American Alexa Glatch.

Second seed Williams, who has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, took 62 minutes to complete a straightforward 6-4 6-1 win over the wild card entry at Arthur Ashe Stadium to ease into the second round.

"Ten years ago I definitely wasn't a favourite," Williams said.

"I felt like I had nothing to lose and I like that attitude.

"When you play with that attitude then you can go a really long way. That's how I would like to approach it this year."

An all-Williams sister semi-final is on the cards with number three seed and two-time champion Venus Williams set to begin her campaign in the first night session of the championship against Russian Vera Dushevina.

Serena, though, said thoughts of future opponents or even winning the tournament outright were being kept at arm's length and her second-round match against Hungary's Melinda Czink would be all she would be thinking about.

"I don't think about success," she said.

"I just think about playing a match and just staying focused.

"I just take it one day at a time."