Serena Williams had not heard of Sania Mirza till two days ago, but she had a first hand experience of the Indian's potential at the Vodafone Arena at the Australian Open on Friday.

Also Read Serena played the big points better: Sania Sania a top-10 player, says coach

The American seventh seed won her third round match in the women's singles 6-1, 6-4 in 57 minutes but not before the 18-year-old wild card stretched her a bit in the second set.

"She has a very solid game, especially to be so young… she's only 18," Williams said after being forced to save three break-points and denied two match-points by the underdog.

"I definitely see a very bright future for her."

Serena also had words of encouragement for Sania.

"I told her to keep up the good work because it was good to see someone from India for the first time do so well," the American superstar said.