Returning to Rod Laver Arena for the first time since beating older sister Venus while pregnant in the 2017 final, Williams crushed German Tatjana Maria 6-0 6-2 in 49 minutes on Tuesday.
Williams will resume on Thursday against Chinese wildcard Peng Shuai or Canadian Eugenie Bouchard as she continues her chase for an eighth Open crown, which would draw the American level with Margaret Court with 24 major singles titles.
