Serena and Venus Williams make desire begin to Australian Open

The Williams sisters rolled back the years on Monday as both stormed to straight-set victories in the Australian Open to start with round.

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Serena Williams of the US celebrates immediately after profitable from Germany’s Laura Siegemund for the duration of their women’s singles match on working day one particular of the Australian Open up tennis match in Melbourne on February 8, 2021. (Photograph by William WEST / AFP) / — Image Restricted TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO Commercial USE — (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP by using Getty Pictures)

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Serena Williams serves towards Laura Siegemund at the Australian Open.

Serena, 39, thrashed Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-1 soon right after her more mature sister Venus, 40, powered earlier Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-2.

It was a assertion get for Serena who is bidding for a report-equaling 24th career grand slam title.

In truth, Serena almost never has challenges with very first-round matches at grand slams. She’s missing just 1 of 77 in her prolonged vocation and seldom looked troubled in opposition to Siegemund despite coming into the match nursing a shoulder damage.

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Both equally wins appear soon in advance of Tom Brady, 43, secures a seventh Tremendous Bowl title

Serena strike 16 winners and four aces to brush aside Siegemund in 56 minutes and set up a conference with Serbia’s Nina Stojanovic in the 2nd spherical.

“This was a great begin. Definitely classic ‘Rena,'” reported Serena, who is a 7-time Australian Open up champion, in her on-courtroom interview just after her victory.

“It really is certainly very good. I imagine I am fairly superior at pacing myself in a grand slam.”

“I was pleased just to get as a result of it. Was not guaranteed how my provide would be right after a little bit of that shoulder, but it really is emotion good, I am feeling fantastic.”

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Venus on sort

It was also a excellent working day for Venus, who created a robust start off to the match soon before Serena took to the court docket.

The 40-calendar year-outdated Venus arrived from a break down in the first set to defeat Belgium’s Flipkens in a highly effective exhibit of grit and perseverance.

Venus, who has defeat a host of injuries and wellbeing problems in her occupation, is participating in in her 88th grand slam main draw in Melbourne.

“I’m trying to get improved each individual day,” reported Venus, who will encounter Italy’s Sara Errani in the future round.

“I believe that no make a difference what takes place to you in everyday living, you constantly hold your head up higher, you give a hundred million p.c. Which is what I do each individual one day. That is something that I can be happy of.”

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Age is just a quantity

The Williams sisters’ wins came just hrs in advance of 43-12 months-aged Tom Brady secured his seventh Super Bowl title proving however once again that in activity, as in lifestyle, age is just a quantity.

As she fulfilled her media demands following profitable her match, Serena had 1 eye on what was heading on back again dwelling in the US.

“My only phrase is it is unbelievable. You cannot say it was the system he was at previously. It can be definitely Tom Brady, he’s Tom Brady. He is awesome,” she explained later, possessing rapidly caught up with the information back again in the locker area.

Elsewhere in Melbourne, Naomi Osaka breezed into the second round just after a 6-1 6-2 victory towards Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The US Open up winner will experience Caroline Garcia in the subsequent spherical.

Reigning champion Novak Djokovic began the defense of his title in design, beating France’s Jeremy Chardy in straight sets 6-3 6-1 6-2.

The 17-time grand slam winner was at ease throughout and has his eyes set on a document-extending ninth Australian Open up title.

“There is an ongoing enjoy affair with me and this courtroom. I required to get started off properly,” Djokovic informed reporters just after the match.

In the meantime, Nick Kyrgios cruised by means of his 1st-spherical match with a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory more than Frederico Ferreira Silva.

The Australian has not performed a grand slam match in around a calendar year, opting not to travel to the US Open amid the pandemic, and admitted being anxious when walking out on courtroom.

“I was very fortunate that Covid failed to affect me or my family members. I utilized it as a substantial reset and I am just happy to be back again out here,” he explained to reporters.