Pierce, Mauresmo through to next round

Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo posted contrasting opening-round victories on day two of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Fifth seed Pierce dispatched Australian Nicole Pratt 6-1 6-1 in just 52 minutes.

The 1995 champion said: “It’s a good feeling. It’s a good start.

“It’s always good to just kind of get going, get used to the environment, get used to competing again. I was very, very happy with my play today. I was able to be focused. I felt like I moved well and I played well.”

Her French compatriot Mauresmo 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, who now meets compatriot Emile Loit, believes she will benefit from the tough match.

“It’s not always easy to play first match,” she said. “I guess the first set was not so easy for me because, obviously, I made way too many unforced errors and really took one set to adjust to the conditions and to the game.

“That’s how it starts, and then hopefully it will get better and better as the tournament is going to go.”

Second seed Kim Clijsters was in sound form during her demolition of Korean Yoon Jeong Cho.

The Belgian overcame an early service break to win comfortably 6-3 6-0.

Anastasia Myskina of Russia also survived an early battle with Ukrainian Yuliana Fedak to triumph 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.