Serena is targeting a fourth Australian Open title later this month

Serena Williams saved four match points before beating homne favourite Samantha Stosur 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 in her opening match at the Sydney International.

The world number two served for the match at 6-5 in the second set but was dragged into a third set before sealing a hard-earned win in hot conditions.

It was the American's first match since she injured her hamstring in November.

But despite her lack of match practice Serena said she was confident of winning a fourth Australian Open title.

"I am ready," said the reigning US Open champion. "I feel I've had enough tennis under my belt and I've had years and years of matches... if I'm not ready now, maybe I should consider another occupation."

I am not into playing too tough a match at the beginning, but it was good because I wasn't playing at my best Serena Williams

Serena was upset by a missed let call when she was serving for the match, allowing Stosur to take it into a third set.

"It did disrupt my game and I probably should not have allowed it to, but it was a little frustrating, I felt I wouldn't have been out there much longer," said the tournament top seed.

"I am not into playing too tough a match at the beginning (of a tournament), but it was good because I wasn't playing at my best ... you could say it was interesting," she added.

Russian fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova dropped the opening set before recovering to beat China's Peng Shuai 3-6 6-1 6-3 in another first-round encounter.

In the joint ATP-WTA tournament, top-seeded Novak Djokovic and third seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have both received first-round byes and could meet in the semi-finals.

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The 21-year-old Serb beat Frenchman Tsonga in last year's Australian Open final.

Switzerland's Patty Schnyder was handed a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour during her 6-2 6-4 first-round loss to Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova at the Hobart International on Sunday.

Second seed Schnyder was given the violation after arguing with the chair umpire when a line call went against her late in the second set.

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