British number four Katie Boulter started her season with victory over Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
Playing her first match since October – and her first under new coach Michael Joyce – Boulter triumphed 6-3 6-3 in the first round.
Given a main draw wildcard for the WTA 250 tournament, she will face top seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine next.
Boulter missed out on a place in the main draw of the Australian Open after falling out of the world’s top 100.
She is currently the third alternate and, without sufficient withdrawals, will need to win through qualifying at Melbourne Park.
Compatriot Sonay Kartal beat Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 in the first round in Auckland.
World number Kartal 68, who reached the last 16 of Wimbledon in 2025, will play Germany’s Ella Seidel in round two.
