SIX-TIME Australian Open champion Serena Williams progressed to the second round with a straight-set win over Swiss teenager Belinda Bencic.

The American, 35, beat her 19-year-old opponent 6-4 6-3 in 79 minutes in scorching conditions in Melbourne.

Ready to Roar – Serena

The world number two, attempting to win a record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, said she “has nothing to lose”.

“Every match I’m playing for fun. I get to travel the world and do what I do best – play tennis,” she added.

Williams lost the Australian Open final last year to Angelique Kerber but won Wimbledon to equal Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

She has barely played since the US Open last September because of injury, and lost in the second round of this month’s Auckland Classic.