<p class="title">Top seed Serena Williams kick-started her Auckland Classic singles campaign with an easy 6-3 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Playing her first singles match since losing last year's U.S. Open final to Bianca Andreescu, the 38-year-old Williams fired eight aces and was hardly troubled by Giorgi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Williams broke the Italian's serve three times, while remaining unbroken herself in a first round-match lasting 68 minutes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Giorgi, 28, could not cope with Williams' powerful serve as the 23-times Grand Slam winner prevailed in blustery conditions, stretching her unbeaten run against her Italian opponent to five matches.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It was really fun to be out here and back again," Williams said. "It's really good to know I still have some power in my arms and legs."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Williams, who advanced to the doubles quarter-finals with Caroline Wozniacki on Monday, is on course to face 15-year-old compatriot Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals should both advance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I definitely think the doubles helped me a lot, especially with my serve," the American added. "I served pretty decent, considering the conditions."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fifth seed Wozniacki, who is set to retire after this month's Australian Open, outclassed local wildcard Paige Hourigan 6-1 6-0.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hourigan, ranked 178 in the world, trailed 5-0 in the opening set in 13 minutes and her tally of 30 unforced errors proved decisive.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Definitely disappointed because I had a great week of preparation here and I felt very confident going in," Hourigan said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I was making a lot of errors which I wasn't doing throughout the week... Wozniacki is a great player and it was tough conditions out there."</p>.<p class="bodytext">German fourth seed and defending champion Julia Gorges advanced to the last 16 with a 6-1 7-6(4) victory over Belgium's Greet Minnen.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Second seed Petra Martic of Croatia was initially frustrated by lucky loser Usue Maitane Arconada before storming back to win 5-7 6-4 6-4.</p>
<p class="title">Top seed Serena Williams kick-started her Auckland Classic singles campaign with an easy 6-3 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Camila Giorgi on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Playing her first singles match since losing last year's U.S. Open final to Bianca Andreescu, the 38-year-old Williams fired eight aces and was hardly troubled by Giorgi.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Williams broke the Italian's serve three times, while remaining unbroken herself in a first round-match lasting 68 minutes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Giorgi, 28, could not cope with Williams' powerful serve as the 23-times Grand Slam winner prevailed in blustery conditions, stretching her unbeaten run against her Italian opponent to five matches.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It was really fun to be out here and back again," Williams said. "It's really good to know I still have some power in my arms and legs."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Williams, who advanced to the doubles quarter-finals with Caroline Wozniacki on Monday, is on course to face 15-year-old compatriot Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals should both advance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I definitely think the doubles helped me a lot, especially with my serve," the American added. "I served pretty decent, considering the conditions."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Fifth seed Wozniacki, who is set to retire after this month's Australian Open, outclassed local wildcard Paige Hourigan 6-1 6-0.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hourigan, ranked 178 in the world, trailed 5-0 in the opening set in 13 minutes and her tally of 30 unforced errors proved decisive.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Definitely disappointed because I had a great week of preparation here and I felt very confident going in," Hourigan said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I was making a lot of errors which I wasn't doing throughout the week... Wozniacki is a great player and it was tough conditions out there."</p>.<p class="bodytext">German fourth seed and defending champion Julia Gorges advanced to the last 16 with a 6-1 7-6(4) victory over Belgium's Greet Minnen.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Second seed Petra Martic of Croatia was initially frustrated by lucky loser Usue Maitane Arconada before storming back to win 5-7 6-4 6-4.</p>