Tough Australian Open draw for Serena

After a four-month break from the professional circuit, Serena Williams plans to make her return at the Australian Open this month, but the road to another Grand Slam title might not be easy.

Williams, who comes into the tournament seeded No. 1, will face world No. 35 Camila Giorgi, who not unlike Roberta Vinci — the woman who famously ousted Williams from the U.S. Open last year  is an Italian with a big swing. 

Williams has faced off against Giorgi twice, winning both times. The first time, in 2013 at the Charleston Open, proved easier. Williams won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. The second time, last year at a Fed Cup match in Italy, was a bit more difficult. Giorgi put up a fight in the first set, forcing a tie breaker that Williams eventually won to go 7-6, 6-2.

“She played very, very well and I stayed in there,” Williams said (via ESPN) after that match last April. “I didn’t get negative. I stayed positive and just did the best that I could.”

Williams, of course, has a good chance of beating the 24-year-old again, and if she does, she’ll likely just have bigger challenges ahead. World No. 18 Caroline Wozniacki could wind up as her opponent in the fourth round and longtime rival Maria Sharapova could meet Williams in the quarterfinals.

If the 34-year-old is at all worried about her draw, though, she’s not showing it.

“Everything’s actually really well,” she said (via USA Today) at the draw ceremony. “I’m feeling really good. I’m excited about it. I’ve been training every day.”

She added that her knee “feels good,” after it forced her to withdraw earlier this month from the Hopman Cup, a tournament players often use to warm up for the first slam of the season.

The Australian Open begins on Monday and runs through January 31.