Melbourne: Top seed Serena Williams blasted her way into the Australian Open second round with a power-hitting masterclass on Monday, sending an ominous warning to her rivals at Melbourne Park. The American has been talking tough ahead of the season-opening Grand Slam and emphatically backed up her words with a 6-0, 6-4 win over world number 106 Alison Van Uytvanck.

The 20-year-old Belgian was like a deer in the headlights as 18-time Grand Slam champion Williams unloaded, effortlessly breaking her serve and firing down thunderbolts of her own. Williams took the opening game in just 60 seconds and wrapped up the first set in 21 minutes.