Serena Williams sweeps Hopman Cup singles ahead of grand slam record bid at Australian Open

American world No 16 needs one more major title to equal Maragert Court's haul, and will get her first chance in Melbourne this month

Serena Williams won all three of her singles matches at the Hopman Cup in Perth. EPA

Serena Williams continued her preparations for the Australian Open by completing a clean sweep of singles victories at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth on Thursday.

Williams, 37, will bid to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam titles when she arrives at Melbourne Park later this month, and the American would have been encouraged with her early season form so far.

After losing a tightly-fought contest to sister Venus in an exhibition match at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, Williams completed her third successive singles win at the Hopman Cup with a 6-1, 7-6 over Britain's Katie Boulter, which followed wins over Maria Sakkari of Greece, and Swiss Belinda Bencic.

____________

Read more:

Roger Federer and Serena Williams click 'greatest selfie of all time'

Pain for Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray at Brisbane International

____________

However, the world No 16's perfect singles record this week wasn't enough to keep the United States in contention at what is expected to be the last Hopman Cup, where she has twice been a winner.

Williams and Frances Tiafoe were already eliminated after losing their opening two mixed doubles ties.

The former world No 1 played a limited schedule last season having given birth to her daughter in late 2017, but still managed to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals. Her most recent grand slam title came at the Australian Open in 2017.

With the Australian Open less than two weeks away, Williams dropped just one set in her singles matches, although at times she seemed troubled by a right shoulder problem and had both ankles strapped.

Her form was patchy across the three matches, but Williams said the round robin format of the event was ideal preparation for Melbourne.

______________

'Greatest selfie of all time'

Roger Federer of Switzerland and Serena Williams of the USA take a selfie on court after playing in the mixed doubles match alongside Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and Frances Tiafoe of the USA on Day 4 of the Hopman Cup in Perth. EPA

Roger Federer of Switzerland is hit on the ear by a ball from Frances Tiafoe of the USA. EPA

Serena Williams of the USA in action. EPA

Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrates winning a set. EPA

Serena Williams of the USA in action. EPA

Serena Williams, left, (L) of the USA and Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during the mixed doubles match. EPA

Serena Williams of the USA and Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during the mixed doubles match. EPA

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrate after beating the USA 4-2, 4-3 in the mixed doubles match. EPA

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland celebrate their win over Frances Tiafoe and Serena Williams of the US. EPA

Roger Federer of Switzerland and Serena Williams of the USA leave the court after playing in the mixed doubles match. EPA

______________

"It was definitely good to play three singles matches here, not to mention the mixed," she said after her singles match.

Williams cruised through the first set against Boulter, but found a more competitive opponent in the second.

Not for the first time this week, the frustration of the American grew as Boulter was able to match her for winners, with the Brit claiming an early break in the second game.

Williams immediately broke back, but then enjoyed a slice of good fortune when her forehand dropped over the net on a Boulter break point in the fourth game.

The set remained on serve until the tie-break, which Williams dominated.

In the men's singles, the struggling Tiafoe led 5-3 in the first set, but won just one more game in losing 7-6, 6-0 to Cameron Norrie. The Brits claimed the tie with victory in the mixed doubles.