Playing her first competitive match since August, Serena Williams opened her title defense at the Australian Open with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Camila Giorgi, in terms of ranking the hardest possible first-round opponent, as the Italian could have been seeded had she been ranked just one spot higher.
Rocking the yellow crop top and pleated skirt, although not the announced yellow Nike Flare Shoes, Serena won four games in a row early on in the first set. The world No.36 Giorgi earned one rebreak, but that was not enough for her to stop the world No.1 in the opening set.
Giorgi was much steadier in the second set and actually Serena constantly had to chase her, as the Italian’s serve opened the set and the first ten games of the set were all holds. In the final stage of the set, the pressure on Giorgi grew substantially and even though she won three straight points to take away Williams’ break chances, eventually the 24-year-old succumbed to pressure and Williams started leading for the first time in the set, 6-5. At that point it was clear the end was very near, eventually so near that Williams won the game to love, sealing the deal with an ace. Had Giorgi not made as much as twelve double faults, this match would’ve been much tighter.
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I disagree with the match being much tighter. Serena should of won the first match 6-1 6-4. The match was great and both played well. Gorgi was working hard to keep up with Serena and if this had gone to a 3rd set, she would of gotten a bagel. This match was worthy of a 3rd round match.