Clijsters cruises

The Belgian top seed dropped her opening service game but then found her range with powerful ground strokes that proved too much for the world No. 59.

Clijsters, who will play home favourite Alicia Molik in the second round, wrapped up victory in under an hour.

“I felt like my groundstrokes were going good, I felt like I was really on top of my baseline (game), really changing up the direction of the rallies,” said Clijsters.

Wobbly start

It was Clijsters first tournament appearance since October, when she lost in the last 16 of the Luxembourg Open to Patty Schnyder. After her wobbly start, the Belgian claimed 11 of the final 12 games.

“I think you need to find a good balance between being relaxed and being on top of your game, especially at the start of the season,” the two-times Grand Slam winner said.

Former world No. 1 Justine Henin, making her return to the Tour after coming out of retirement, faces second seed Nadia Petrova of Russia on Monday.

The results:

At Brisbane: WTA Brisbane International: First round: Kim Clijsters bt Tathiana Garbin 6-2, 6-1; Alicia Molik bt Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 1-6, 6-4; Barbora Zahlavova Strycova bt Olga Govortsova 6-4, 6-1; Vania King bt Sybille Bammer 6-4, 6-1; Andrea Petkovic bt Iveta Benesova 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-1; Melinda Czink bt Lucie Hradecka 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. — Agencies