Melbourne, Australia - Serena Williams set the stage on Friday for what she hopes is a multiple-title performance at the Australian Open as she and sister Venus won the women's doubles crown.

The Americans defeated Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-3, 6-3 for their eight major trophy together. It took just over an hour and a quarter.

It was their first at Melbourne Park since winning the team event in 2001 and 2003.

"I have a great partner, I don't have to work too hard out there," said Serena, who bids for a fourth singles crown on Saturday against Russian Dinara Safina. "I just have to hit some big serves, we put the ball away."

The siblings snapped up the opening set in 38 minutes and had to struggle through a break-littered second set with six breaks of serve in nine games. It ended as Hantuchova lost serve.

"I love to play doubles," said Serena. "It's great practise, great fun. If I'm really fit, then I like to go for the win in both events."

Added her elder sister Venus: "All of our titles are so wonderful. This one is definitely as good as the other seven.

"We complement each other on the court because we're both extremely positive. We know, when the other one moves, what the other one needs to do to compensate for that or to add to it. (dpa)