Australian Open: Serena Williams kicks off campaign with emphatic win

Brisbane: World number one Serena Williams, who is aiming to equal Steffi Graf's record of 22 Grand Slam this year, started her 2016 season on a winning note as she swept aside Camila Giorgi of Italy in straight sets to storm into the second round of Australian Open on Monday.

Serena Williams. Pic/ AFP

The defending champion outclassed her Italian opponent 6-4, 7-5 in an opening round contest to progress through to the next round in an emphatic win.

Serena, who had earlier missed both China Open and the WTA Finals in Singapore after her US Open defeat, won three Grand Slams in 2015 namely the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.