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Melbourne - Former champion Serena Williams overpowered China's Meng Yuan 6-3 6-2 to comfortably move into the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Meng battled bravely in the first set but was blasted off court by the second-seed in the second, with Williams wrapping up the match in 75 minutes in temperatures pushing 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
"Ooh, it's a little hot out here," a smiling Wiliams told the crowd immediately after the match.
She was simply too big and too powerful for her Chinese opponent and never looked in any danger of being upset, despite making 31 unforced errors throughout the two sets.
Williams, a three-time champion in Melbourne, broke Meng once in the first set and twice in the second in an impressive opening round performance.
Meng had her chances and twice had break points in the first set, but Williams was able to save them both with her booming first serve.
The American then broke Meng's first two service games in the second set and quickly opened up a 4-0 lead.
Meng hung on and held her next two serves but Williams strolled to an inevitable victory.
"I'm glad to be back here ... it's a very special place for me," she said.
