Melbourne: World number one Serena Williams dispelled concerns she was struggling with a knee injury by digging deep to beat Camila Giorgi Monday in a testing start to her Australian Open campaign.
In searing heat, the six-time Australian Open champion, who is gunning to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam titles, ground down the Italian 6-4, 7-5 in 1hr 45 mins during her first round clash.
“It wasn’t very easy, she plays really well,” said the top seed, after successfully coming through her first tour-level match since the US Open in September.
“I haven’t played a competitive match in a really long time so it was good for me to come out here and get through it.
“I was able to stay in it and stay calm and that is what matters most.”
Leading into the match the lopsided statistics made the American an overwhelming favourite - she had won 737 tour matches and 69 singles titles to Giorgi’s 248 and one.
And Giorgi’s nerves were clearly jangling as she opened with a double fault with the heat hitting 32 Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit) on Rod Laver Arena.
But the world number 36 - the highest ranked non-seed - quickly settled down to hold serve with a scintillating crosscourt forehand.
With Williams’ knee giving her problems in the latter half of 2015 and in the lead-up to Melbourne Park, the Italian did her best to push her around the court but the top seed was moving freely and held for 1-1.
Despite her lack of match practice, a focused Williams quickly got in her groove and carved out a decisive break with some powerful groundstrokes to grab a 2-1 advantage.
She held for 3-1 and broke again for 4-1 as the right-hander’s confidence appeared to sap before the Italian regained composure to claw back to 4-2.
It was the start of a mid-set wobble by Williams, who lost the next game and had to recover from 0-30 down on her serve in the eighth to stay on top, screaming “Come on!” as she finally went 5-3 clear. She served out the set in 43 minutes.
Fifth seed Maria Sharapova, in the same half of the draw as Serena, crushed Japan’s Nao Hibino in a ruthless first round display as she fired a warning to her rivals at the Australian Open on Monday.
The Russian, attempting to win her first title at Melbourne Park since 2008, was in blistering form to take the match 6-1, 6-3 in 73 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.
There were concerns ahead of the clash about her lack of match fitness, after Sharapova pulled out of the Brisbane International with a forearm injury.
But the 28-year-old, last year’s beaten finalist, was in fine fettle after hours on the practice courts as she handed a tennis lesson to Hibino, who was making her Grand Slam debut.
“I haven’t played many matches in many weeks so it’s great to come out here and start my season at the Australian Open,” said Sharapova.
“I was quite pleased in the way I was able to play in my opening match.
“I’m feeling really good, which is a positive. I’m just happy to finish off today and be able to get ready for the next one.”
Grunting at full volume, the Russian five-time Grand Slam winner was focused and in total control as she raced to a 3-0 lead in just 10 minutes.
