By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday January 6, 2020
Serena Williams has opened her 2020 campaign with a convincing victory over Italy’s Camila Giorgi. The American cruised past the qualifier 6-3 6-2 in 68 minutes, breaking up what was looking like a close match by winning nine of the final 11 games.
In her first match since the 2019 US Open Williams saved all three break points she faced and tossed in eight aces against the World No.99. It was close through the first six games, but Williams settled in and started to take charge from there.
The 38-year-old American broke for 5-3 then held to love, blasting a crosscourt forehand winner to clinch the opening set.
She would break again to lead 2-1, and win the final three games of the match, closing the affair after saving a pair of break points in the final game with her eighth ace.
Williams will face either Christina McHale or Ann Li in the second round.
In other action on Tuesday in Auckland, heralded American teenager Amanda Anisimova won her first match of the season, 6-3 6-4 over Kateryna Kozlova. Anisimova broke five times on eight opportunities and set a second-round clash with Russia’s Daria Kasatkina.
Caroline Wozniacki was also a winner on Tuesday in Auckland. The Dane, playing in her penultimate event, eased past New Zealand’s qualifier Paige Mary Hourigan, 6-1 6-0.