Australian Open 2019: Serena Williams launches bid for 24th Grand Slam title with dominating win over Tatjana Maria

Melbourne: Serena Williams denied Tuesday her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title was a distraction as her Australian Open campaign launched with a straight sets mauling of Germany’s Tatjana Maria. In an ominous warning to her rivals at Melbourne Park, the American dismantled Maria 6-0, 6-2 in only 49 minutes, justifying her status as bookies’ favourite to claim an eighth Australian title. [caption id=“attachment_5896561” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Serena Williams beat Tatjana Maria to start her Australian Open campaign. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson[/caption] The 37-year-old won her 23rd major Down Under two years ago while eight weeks pregnant and is now attempting to match Margaret Court’s mark of 24 singles Slams on the Australian’s home soil. Williams said she was not dwelling on the bid for history, which would confirm her status as the greatest player of all time. “I have been going for the record what seems like forever now, so it doesn’t feel any different,” she said. Her 2017 triumph in Melbourne gave her the outright Open-era record for singles majors ahead of Steffi Graf’s 22, leaving only Court’s tally of 24 titles — 13 of which were earned in the amateur era before 1968 — for her to chase. It was Williams’ first outing on tour since her infamous meltdown at the umpire while losing the US Open final to Naomi Osaka in September. “I, like, literally have no comment,” she responded when asked about the controversy, which split opinion in the tennis world. She was unfailingly polite to the chair umpire at Melbourne Park and the centre court crowd greeted her warmly, cheering as she walked out. There was further applause when she removed her black warm-up jacket to reveal her outfit for the tournament — a jade-green jumpsuit matched with fishnet stockings. “It’s a Serena-tard,” she said when asked to describe the garment. ‘Right direction’ Her demeanour was steely but calm once play began and the American swatted aside her opponent with ease, making a mockery of her 16th seeding at this year’s tournament. She won her first service game to love then effortlessly broke Maria’s serve, blasting winners seemingly as will as she claimed the first set 6-0 in just 18 minutes. She eased up slightly in the second set against someone she described as “incredibly tricky”, with Maria snatching two games before succumbing to inevitable defeat. It was small consolation for the German, a neighbour of Williams at Palm Beach, Florida, who left the court in tears after the drubbing. “I’m glad that I was able to come out and do what I needed to do… I feel like I’m in the right direction. We’ll see,” she said. The win sets up an enticing second-round clash with Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard. The former Wimbledon finalist is on the comeback trail after sliding down the rankings and posted a comprehensive 6-2, 6-1 win over China’s Peng Shuai in the opening round. Williams has won her two previous meetings with Bouchard but was wary of the 24-year-old’s fighting qualities. “She does everything well, and I really like that she doesn’t quit,” she said. “People write her off and she doesn’t let that bother her. She continues to fight and do what she needs to do. I think that’s really good.”