MELBOURNE, Australia — Serena Williams has had so much success for such a long time that even in a second-round match she can set a record at the season’s first Grand Slam event.
Williams, the six-time and defending champion, beat No. 90-ranked Hsieh Su-Wei, 6-1, 6-2 on Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena, a career record 79th main-draw match at the Australian Open.
Williams closed with an ace, her seventh, finishing in precisely an hour.
“It all started here — this is where I played my first Grand Slam right on this court, and I’m still going; it’s such an honor,” said Williams, who has a 70-9 record at Melbourne Park since her debut in 1998.