Williams sisters power through

Serena and Venus Williams looked in ominous form as they powered through the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.

Serena and Venus Williams looked in ominous form as they powered through the first round of the Australian Open yesterday.

Serena overpowered China's Meng Yuan 6-3, 6-2 while older sister Venus downed Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3.

Forgoing her usual flashy outfits for a nondescript dark blue number, the younger American powered past Meng in just 75 minutes.

"I think I hit some pretty solid shots, sometimes I even went for some shots just to try something different," she said.

"There wasn't so much humidity out there, the dry heat is actually better than the humidity. But it was definitely extreme conditions."

Venus, who has yet to lift the Melbourne title, was untroubled by Kerber.

"I'm feeling the best that I can and I'm glad to be in the second round," Venus said.

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