Twenty-three time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, pictured, will face older sister Venus in the second round of the Italian Open ©Getty Images

Twenty-three times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams will face older sister Venus in the second round of the Italian Open after both players came through their opening matches in Rome today.

Serena, a four-time winner in Italy’s capital, beat Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson 6-4, 6-2 at Foro Italico.

Venus, the 1999 champion, later edged out Belgium’s Elise Mertens 7-5, 3-6, 7-6.

Another American through to the second round of the Women’s Tennis Association Premier 5 event is 13th seed Madison Keys, who defeated Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 6-4, 7-6.

Croatia's Borna Ćorić is among the players that advanced through to the second round of the men's event today ©Getty Images
Croatia's Borna Ćorić is among the players that advanced through to the second round of the men's event today ©Getty Images

Among those advancing through to the second round of the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals World Tour Masters 1000 event was 11th seed Karen Khachanov of Russia.

He overcame Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to set up a meeting with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.

Also progressing was Croatia’s Borna Ćorić after he beat Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

A notable casualty was 15th seed Frenchman Gaël Monfils following his 3-6, 1-6 loss to Spain's Albert Ramos Viñolas.