Serena cool about Perth's searing heat

PERTH - World No. 1 Serena Williams said the forecast of extreme heat at the Hopman Cup over the coming days will help her preparation for the upcoming Australian Open.

The American is out to break something of a personal drought at the year's first Grand Slam, which starts on Jan 19, having not won the Australian Open since beating Belgium's Justine Henin in the 2010 final.

The 33-year-old will also be aiming to record her 19th Grand Slam title in Melbourne and move up to a clear second behind Steffi Graf's 22 wins, having joined Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova on 18 when she won the US Open in September.

Williams, who first ascended to the summit of women's tennis back in 2002, arrived in Perth on Saturday ahead of her partnership with John Isner for the United States at the Hopman Cup, a mixed-teams tournament.

Her first singles opponent is world No. 12 Flavia Pennetta of Italy today, and the temperature is tipped to reach a sweltering 41 deg C.

Williams admitted she was still a little weary after the long flight to Perth, but welcomed the forecast heat, saying it would provide good conditioning for the challenges ahead in Melbourne.

"I hear it is going to be really hot," she said.

"If anything, it is going to help me for Melbourne, I am ready for it.

"Perth is one of the hottest places I have played and it will be really good for the preparation for Melbourne, which is always super hot."

Williams has a fine record at the Hopman Cup, having won the event twice: in 2003 and 2008.

Contemplating the challenges ahead, she said it has never been easy to remain at the top of women's tennis.

"You never know what is going to happen in a year and I am just happy I was able to remain No. 1," she said.

"It starts all over this year and there are so many people coming at me."