Serena Williams says her ankle injury felt better than expected during a first-round win over Tamira Paszek at the Australian Open.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion, who revealed she tore ligaments in her ankle during a second-round win over Bojana Jovanovski at the Brisbane International on January 4, eased past Austria's Paszek 6-3 6-2 in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Williams, 30, said her movement had improved but would have to wait and see how she recovered from the 79-minute hitout.
"I think I was a wee bit tight out there today. I always get a little nervous in my first-round matches," she said after the comfortable win over the world No.45.
"I definitely didn't play any way that I practiced. So hopefully I can get better."
"Physically, I felt fine. I was definitely moving better than I suspected (I would). I still think I can move better, though, and just get that confidence. It would be great."
"But I have to see how I feel tomorrow, if I'm sore, if I have any swelling. We'll see."
World No.12 Williams, who had both ankles heavily strapped for the encounter, hit 34 winners and made 26 unforced errors in the straightforward win.
Several crickets found their way onto Rod Laver Arena on a warm Melbourne night, and Williams said the bugs were a distraction.
"Bugs fell on my back twice. I hate bugs more than you can imagine. I hate bugs," she said.
"Like, they kept jumping on me."
"So I'm going to request not to play at night anymore because I hate bugs, except for the final. I heard it's at night, though. I'll try to get used to them."
Williams faces Barbora Zahlavova Strycova in the second round after the Czech disposed of Frenchwoman Iryna Bremond 6-0 6-4.