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Unseeded two-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams was in ominous form on Day One of the 2007 tournament with the American crushing No.27 seed Mara Santangelo 6-2, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

The former world No.1 showed glimpses of her old self as she bundled the unfortunate Italian out of the Open in just over an hour and she sees no reason why she can't reach the top of the mountain once again.

"I can definitely win a third title, for sure," Williams said.

"My mom and dad always taught me to think positive. For me to sit here and say no now - I just can't do that.

"Now whether I win, lose or draw, that's you know, up to me, but I'm not going to sit here and say no. I just can't do that."

Further evidence to the fact Williams has the self-belief to win her third Australian Open comes with her critical analysis of her methodical win over Santangelo.

"Well, I think there's so much I can do to improve. I actually wasn't a hundred per cent happy with the way I played," she said.

"You know, my mom said I did a little better at some things. I just thought there were some things I could do a lot better.

"But you know, as long as I'm moving forward, figuratively and literally, I should be fine."

For her part, Santangelo was surprised by the form of Williams who had not looked close to her best in her lead-in tournament - the Moorilla Hobart International - in which she bowed out at the quarterfinal stage at the hands of Sybille Bammer.

"I didn't play too good. I had some problems last week," Santangelo said.

"I have been sick and I didn't feel too good on court, to be honest.

"(But) she played very good today. I saw a few of her games in Hobart last week and to be honest, she didn't play like she played today.

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