Serena shakes off Aussie rust

For five games in the second set, Serena Williams played almost flawless tennis in her first-round match at the Australian Open.

Then came the rustiness that tends to follow a lengthy layoff, giving Belinda Bencic a glimmer of hope before Williams regained her composure to win 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday. The six-time Australian Open champion improved her impressive record in the first round of Grand Slam tournaments to 65-1.

The No. 2-ranked Williams’ priority here is an Open era record 23rd major title. She’s has taken the first step, beating a player who was seeded 12th here last year and reached a career-high No. 7 ranking. “She was just recently in the top 10. I knew it would be one of the toughest firstround matches I’ve ever played,” the newly engaged Williams said. In round two she’ll meet Lucie Safarova, who beat Yanina Wickmayer 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1.

SAUNDERS, PHILS AGREE ON $9M DEAL

Outfielder Michael Saunders and the Phillies have agreed on a $9 million, one-year contract. A 2016 All-Star with Toronto, Saunders hit a careerbest 24 homers and batted .253 last season.

BAUTISTA, JAYS CLOSE TO DEAL

Outfielder Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays are “working really hard” to bring him back to the club, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press on Monday. The 36-yearold Bautista hit 22 homers with 69 RBI last year while batting .234 in an injury-slowed season.

He did not accept Toronto’s $17.2 million qualifying offer.