Serena Williams made a strong start to her Australian Open campaign on Tuesday as she defeated Belinda Bencic 6-4, 6-4.
Williams, who was dethroned as the world number one by Angelique Kerber at the US Open last season, has faced Bencic on two prior occasions, but only won once as the Swiss teenager triumphed in their most recent meeting at the Rogers Cup in 2015.
Williams began with a bang as she claimed a 3-1 lead after breaking Bencic in the fourth game, but the 19-year-old returned the favour in the next game and fought her way back to level the score at 4-4.
Her efforts went in vain though as Williams clinched the set after breaking her in the 10th game.
It was a similar story in the second set as Williams broke Bencic twice to cruise to a 5-0 lead. However, Bencic refused to go down without a fight and won the next three games, breaking the world number two in the process.
Once again, it was too little too late as Williams secured her spot in the second round after converting match point on her second attempt.
Williams will go up against Lucie Safarova in the second round after the 29-year-old came from behind to beat Yanina Wickmayer 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1.
Meanwhile, 21st seed Caroline Garcia defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6 (4), 6-4, while 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova downed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 4-6, 6-1.
Earlier in the day, 25th seed Timea Babos crashed out of the tournament after losing to Nicole Gibbs, who beat her 7-6 (3), 6-4.
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