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.
Wearing a canary yellow pleated skirt and matching midriff-baring shirt, displaying her pierced navel, Williams was composed but not her usual clinical self during the draining workout.
“It’s great. It was an hour and 45 minutes and I didn’t feel it at all,” she said of her knee, after successfully coming through her first tour-level match since the US Open in September.
“Okay, I haven’t played in a long time, but I have been playing for 30 years, so it’s kind of — I try to focus on that.”
Asked how she rated her game, she credited her serve for seeing her home and gave herself an “A” for effort.
“I’m just thinking positive. You know, that match is done with. On to the next one. So like I said, A for effort.”
Meanwhile, fellow reigning champion from the men’s draw Novak Djokovic eased past Chung Hyeon in straight sets to kick off his quest for a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title on Monday.
Djokovic beat the 19-year-old South Korean 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in 1hr 55mins in blistering heat on Rod Laver Arena which left him reaching for the ice vests and water.
Most Open Era Australian Open wins
- 5 - Djokovic (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015)
- 4 - Andre Agassi (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 4 - Roger Federer (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009)
Despite the high temperarures, the top seed sent out a chilling warning to his rivals as he set out to equal Australian Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian Open crowns.
Djokovic looked in ominous touch for his rivals, sending the 51st-ranked Chung scurrying around the court chasing after his dazzling array of shots.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to come back to Rod Laver Arena, it’s the most successful court in my career and there have been many memorable moments in the matches I’ve played here,” Djokovic said.
“Chung is only 19, he’s tall and he plays well from the back of the court and he has a big future.”