Serena sparkles in comeback match

MELBOURNE, Jan 8 (Reuters) Serena Williams showed little signs of rust at the Hobart International today with a first round 6-4 6-0 demolition of Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson.

The American was making a comeback after a four-month injury layoff and was eager to prove a point about her fitness before the Australian Open begins next Monday.

World number 60 Arvidsson was ranked 34 spots above Williams but that counted for little against a player who has won seven grand slam titles.

After allowing her opponent four games in the first set, Williams ran the 25-year-old Arvidsson ragged in the second, moving around the court with ease and proving her knee was holding up well.

Joining Williams in the next round was local favourite Alicia Molik, who desperately wants to recapture the form that lifted her to eighth in the world in 2005 before an inner ear infection put the brakes on her career.

The Australian repaid local organisers for her wildcard with a 4-6 6-1 6-2 win over Crotian Jelena Kostanic.

''I'm happy with the result, she got three games in the last two sets, I can't really complain about that,'' Molik told reporters.

REUTERS AY BST1630