Serena Williams welcomes Perth scorcher

It’s the type of weather that will make you melt, but world No.1 Serena Williams hopes the Perth heat will help propel her to grand slam glory at the Australian Open.

A top of 41 degrees has been forecast for Monday when Williams will be in action in USA’s opening Hopman Cup tie against Italy in Perth Arena.

The 33-year-old admits it’s been tough to adjust to the heat after arriving from an American winter.

But Williams says playing and practising in hot conditions will boost her hopes for the Australian Open, where she won the last of her four titles in 2010.

“If anything it’s going to help me for Melbourne,” Williams said on Sunday.

“Perth is one of the most hottest places I’ve ever played, so it will be really good for the preparation in Melbourne, which is always super hot.

“I haven’t won in Australia for several years, but there’s also a lot of other people who want (to win the title) too. I’ll just have to do my best.”

The Perth Arena roof will be shut during Williams’ match against Italian Flavia Pennetta if the heat policy is enforced, or both players agree the conditions are unsafe.

America’s powerful pairing of Williams and John Isner will start as hot favourites to win the Hopman Cup.

Williams has already won the mixed-teams event twice, having tasted success with James Blake in 2003 and Mardy Fish in 2008.

The 18-time grand slam champion will face off against world No.7 Eugenie Bouchard in a blockbuster clash on Tuesday, before rounding off the group stage against Lucie Safarova on Thursday.

And if everything goes to plan, a possible final showdown against world No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska looms on Saturday.

“The women’s field is excellent here. It’s going to be great,” Williams said.

“More than anything it’s a great time to get match play and not get stressed out too much.

“Usually I’m really stressed (in knockout tournaments), so this will be really good for me.”

Williams was only able to win one major title last year – the US Open – with the triumph making up for early exits at the Australian Open (fourth round), Wimbledon (third round) and French Open (second round).

Meanwhile, Hopman Cup organisers were breathing a sigh of relief when Andy Murray confirmed he would be able to make the trek to Perth.

Murray underwent scans on a sore left shoulder following his 6-2 6-0 demolition of Rafael Nadal in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

However, scans ruled out any damage for Murray, who won the Mubadala World Tennis Championship when Novak Djokovic withdrew because of illness.

The Hopman Cup has already lost rising star Nick Kyrgios, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, American Jack Sock and Radek Stepanek to injury, but Murray is expected to be in action for Great Britain’s tie against France on Monday night.

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