Serena Williams began her quest for a sixth Australian Open title with a straight-sets win over Alison Van Uytvanck this morning.

The American whitewashed the world number 106 in the first set, but was given a sterner test in the second on her way to a 6-0 6-4 victory.

It took the top seed just 21 minutes to claim the opener, taking three of five break points and saving one of her own in the third game.

Van Uytvanck had been unable to contend with Williams's power game, but proved stronger at the baseline and cut out the errors as she made a contest of it in the second.

The Belgian was also impressive on serve as she prevented her illustrious opponent from having a single break point as the first nine games went with serve.

Williams needed only one opportunity, though, and sensed blood following a Van Uytvanck error in game 10, securing victory with a winner on a backhand side which had frustrated her for much of the match.

The 18-time Grand Slam champion will face former world number two and two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Vera Zvonareva in the second round.