Tennis: Relieved Serena Williams reaches Australian Open second round

Serena Williams reacts during her first round match against Camila Giorgi at the Australian Open. PHOTO: REUTERS

MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - Defending champion Serena Williams reached the second round of the Australian Open on Monday after completing a tense 6-4, 7-5 win over feisty Italian Camila Giorgi in her first tour match in four months.

The world No. 1 had barely played any competitive tennis since her US Open exit last September and entered a sweltering Rod Laver Arena with doubts over her fitness to face the highest-ranked unseeded player in the draw.

The slight but hard-hitting Giorgi conceded a 4-1 lead early but steadied to give the American a genuine test and Williams' roars of frustration underlined the growing tension as the match progressed.

However, it was Giorgi who wilted at 5-5 in the second set, a double-fault handing Williams the decisive break and allowing the American to close out the match with a barrage of booming serves.

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