Serena breezes into second round in Auckland Classic

Top seed Serena Williams kick-started her Auckland Classic singles campaign in style with an easy 6-3 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi on Tuesday.

Playing her first singles match since losing last year's U.S. Open final to Bianca Andreescu, the 38-year-old Williams fired eight aces and was hardly troubled by Giorgi.

Williams broke the Italian's serve three times while remaining unbroken herself in a first-round encounter that lasted only 68 minutes.

Giorgi, 28, was no match for Williams' powerful serve as the 23-times Grand Slam winner prevailed in blustery conditions which proved to be her downfall in 2017, stretching her unbeaten run against her Italian opponent to five matches.

"It was really fun to be out here and back again," Williams said in a post-match interview.

"It's really good to know I still have some power in my arms and legs."

Williams, who also advanced to the doubles quarter-finals with Caroline Wozniacki on Monday, is on course to face 15-year-old compatriot Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals should both advance.

Second seed Petra Martic of Croatia was initially frustrated by lucky loser Usue Maitane Arconada, who took the first set before Martic stormed back to win the next two to prevail 5-7 6-4 6-4.

American third seed Amanda Anisimova also advanced to the second round after she beat Ukraine's Kateryna Kozlova 6-3 6-4.

Wozniacki, who is set to retire after this month's Australian Open, plays New Zealand's Paige Hourigan in her singles match later on Tuesday.