No-nonsense Serena powers on in Aus

Melbourne:

No-nonsense defending champion Serena Williams powered into the Australian Open second round where she was joined by in-form Russian Nicolay Davydenko.

Williams, who is searching for her 12th Grand Slam singles title to put herself alongside Billie Jean King as one of the all-time greats, demolished Pole Urszula Radwanska 6-2, 6-1.

But the four-time champion here, usually a slow starter at Grand Slams, had her right thigh heavily strapped, although it appeared to be precautionary with no sign that she was hampered.

Williams broke Radwanska twice in the first set and three times in the second on her way to a comfortable victory that will make her rivals sit up and take notice.

Sister Venus, the sixth seed, makes her entrance later today against Czech Lucie Safarova.