BERLIN (AP) - Serena Williams ran her winning streak to 16 matches Tuesday by beating Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the German Open.

The 20th-ranked Italian fought off repeated break chances throughout the second set before her forehand sailed long and allowed Williams to take a 4-2 lead.

The fifth-seeded Williams is chasing her fourth straight WTA title. Her last loss came in early February when Jelena Jankovic beat her in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

"I'm healthy. I'm focused. Tennis is my priority," said Williams, whose ranking has jumped to sixth during her streak. "Everything is just coming together."

Two other seeded players also advanced. No. 8 Marion Bartoli beat Lucie Safarova 6-0, 6-3, and No. 7 Elena Dementieva defeated Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-1, 6-2.

Williams had little trouble with Schiavone, leading 10-3 in winners during the opening games as both players had trouble keeping the ball in the court.

After they settled down, Williams kept the pressure on Schiavone's serve.

Williams is looking for her first title at the clay-court event, a key warm-up tournament for the French Open.