BRISBANE, Australia (AP) Samantha Stosur of Australia opened her 2011 season with a 7-6 (1), 6-1 win over Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday.
The top-seeded Stosur, who is ranked No. 6 in the world, took almost 90 minutes to overcome qualifier Hradecka, coming back from 4-1 down in the first set to set up a second-round meeting with compatriot Jarmila Groth.
World No. 8 Andy Roddick, seeded second in the men's event, had five aces and one double fault as he beat Australian wild card Marinko Matosevic 6-2, 6-3 in 72 minutes.
Roddick dominated on serve against his 128th-ranked opponent, winning 77 percent of service points and taking advantage of four of six break points.
Stosur served eight aces and converted five of nine break points, steadily improving as the match progressed.
She looked both nervous and rusty at the start of her first match since bowing out in the semifinals of the WTA Championships in Doha in October. The 26-year old struggled to get on top of Hradecka before recovering her touch and confidence to dominate from the baseline.
Today is a good sign that I can handle things a bit better,'' Stosur said.I was really pleased with the way I was able to fight my way back and get through that first set.
``One of the reasons I was able to do that today was I didn't panic, didn't start freaking out thinking I had to play unbelievably to get back. I just took it point by point''
Stosur said she was ready to carry the weight of expectation that will fall on her at this month's Australian Open, where she is seen as Australia's best title chance in 30 years.
``All the top players go through it, it's just a matter of dealing with it, playing things out in your mind so nothing gets you by surprise,'' she said.
Second-seed Shahar Peer of Israel beat Australian wild card Sophie Ferguson 6-4, 6-2 to also reach the second round on Monday.
Third-seeded Russian Nadia Petrova lost to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 7-6, 6-3.
French fourth seed Marion Bartoli brushed aside American qualifier Vania King 6-1, 6-2.
World No. 30 Daniela Hantuchova withdrew shortly before her first round match on Monday and is now racing the clock to recover from an Achilles' tendon tear in time for the Australian Open.