MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams showed no signs of a knee injury as she overcame Camila Giorgi in the Australian Open first round on Sunday.
The American world No. 1, under an injury cloud heading into the year's first grand slam, was in control throughout a 6-4, 7-5 win at Rod Laver Arena.
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Williams, a 21-time grand slam champion, has had limited match practice because of knee inflammation during the Hopman Cup. But the defending champion was too good for the hard-hitting Italian Giorgi, the highest ranked unseeded player in the draw.
Williams showed plenty of emotion in the big moments despite rolling out to a 4-1 lead in the first set.
Giorgi managed to stay with Williams until the 11th game in the second set, but the latter broke thanks to a double fault before closing out her win.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Williams [1] def. Giorgi 6-4, 7-5
ACES
Williams - 9
Giorgi - 7
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Williams - 19/22
Giorgi - 17/32
BREAK POINTS WON
Williams - 3/10
Giorgi - 1/1
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Williams - 53
Giorgi - 45
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Williams - 86/65
Giorgi - 65/48
TOTAL POINTS
Williams - 79
Giorgi - 59