Kim Clijsters played through the pain barrier to successfully launch her Australian Open campaign with a straight sets victory this morning.
Second seed Clijsters routed South Korea's Cho Yoon-jeong 6-3, 6-0 in just under an hour after tournament organisers scheduled the Belgian's first round match late to maximise her chances of recovering from a hip injury.
The world number two said pain from the injury sustained in a warm-up tournament last week limited the power of her strokeplay, hampered her serve and prevented her moving freely around the court.
Bookies have installed Clijsters as joint favourite in Melbourne, alongside compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne, who defeated her in the 2004 final.
Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo posted contrasting opening-round victories on day two.
Fifth seed Pierce dispatched Australian Nicole Pratt 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes.
Her French compatriot Mauresmo however, survived a first-round scare against Tiantian Sun of China before pushing through three sets for a 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory.
The third seed will now meet compatriot Emile Loit.
Anastasia Myskina of Russia also survived an early battle with Ukrainian Yuliana Fedak to triumph 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.
Martina Hingis has sounded a warning to the women's field that she is back, crushing 30th seed Vera Zvonareva 6-1 6-2 in her first round match at the Australian Open.
The three-time winner at Melbourne Park has not played Down Under since 2002 but her extended break from the circuit hardly showed as she cruised through to the second round in just over an hour.
Hingis will now meet Finland's Emma Laine in the second round, and a victory there would set up a potential third-round clash with Pierce.
