Williams makes storming start, with Bouchard next up

Serena Williams made a storming return to the grand slam stage to set up a second-round clash with a resurgent Eugenie Bouchard.

The Canadian, who soared into the top 10 in 2014, dropped as low as 193 in the rankings last season but has worked her way back into double figures and a 6-2 6-1 victory over Peng Shuai earned her a shot at the title favourite.

Williams played her first competitive match since her tumultuous defeat by Naomi Osaka in the US Open final in September and was in devastating form, beating neighbour and fellow mother Tatjana Maria 6-0 6-2 in just 49 minutes.

Bouchard admitted she had her eye on a clash with Williams as soon as the draw was made.

She said: “I’m super excited. This is why we play the big tournaments, to play the best players.

“She’s the greatest ever. I admire obviously the longevity of her career, her dominance over such a long amount of time, how she’s come back so many times from injury, pregnancy, etc.

“I don’t want to talk about it too much and put her on too much of a pedestal because I have to play her in two days, but I love her.”

Bouchard struggled to cope with the weight of expectation after her rapid rise, but, even during her difficult times, she has shown the ability to rise to the big occasion.

Still only 24, Bouchard said: “I’m enjoying the training and enjoying the matches. That’s the most important thing, because I have definitely had moments where I didn’t enjoy it so much. I knew deep down that I still believed in myself and my game and I’m still relatively young.”

Williams (right) extended her winning streak in Melbourne to eight matches, having won the title on her last appearance in 2017 while in the early weeks of pregnancy.

Dressed in a striking green playsuit that she dubbed the “Serenatard”, the 37-year-old, who continues to chase a record-equalling 24th slam singles titles, dropped only five points in the first set.

World number one Simona Halep avoided losing to Kaia Kanepi in the first round for the second successive slam, coming from a set down to win 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-2.

The victory ended a fivematch losing streak for the top seed.

Venus Williams looked to be heading out of the tournament at a set and 5-3 down to 25th seed Mihaela Buzarnescu, but recovered to win 6-7 (3) 7-6 (3) 6-2.