Serena Williams into 2 round of the australian open. Giorgi out

MELBOURNE, Australia
Serena williams didn't have an easy day at the office up against the unseeded and looming Italian, camila giorgi. But the top seed got the job done on Rod Laver Arena, edging into the second round, 6-4, 7-5.

The American, who is one major title away from tying graf' s record of 22 Grand Slam victories, survived a late surge from Giorgi in the opening set, and stayed with the big-hitting youngster through ten straight service holds in the second before nabbing the crucial break and serving out the win behind a flurry of aces.

"I haven't played a competitive match in a really long time," Williams said in her on-court interview, having been off the tour since the US open in September, "but it was really good for me to come out here and get through it. It wasn't quick, but that actually worked to my advantage as well."