Two-time grand slam champion Simona Halep began her preparation for this month’s Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-2 win over local qualifier Destanee Aiava in the Melbourne Summer Set 1 tournament on Wednesday.
The former world No.1, who was troubled by a calf issue that forced her out of last year’s French Open, Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics, showed no signs of the problem in her 78-minute stay on the Rod Laver Arena.
Romanian Halep will take on compatriot Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the second round.
In the WTA Tour’s Summer Set 2 event, China’s Zhu Lin beat former US Open winner Sam Stosur 7-6 (5). 7-6 (5). Australian Stosur will call time on her singles career after the January 17-30 Australian Open, though she will continue to play doubles in 2022.
American Madison Keys fended off a late comeback attempt from Briton Harriet Dart to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory while Russian third seed Daria Kasatkina went through after her compatriot Anna Kalinskaya retired while down 6-1, 3-0.
In the men’s ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne, Lithuanian qualifier Ricardas Berankis defeated American Marcos Giron 7-5 6-4 and will provide the opposition for Spaniard Rafael Nadal in his first Tour match since August.
Berankis broke Giron three times to take a tight opening set before sealing a comfortable victory.
Up next for the world No. 104 at the Australian Open warm-up will be Nadal, who is back in action after overcoming a left foot injury that ended his 2021 season prematurely.
Nadal, who tested positive for Covid-19 last month, is also competing in the doubles at the event, partnering Jaume Munar to victory in a match on Tuesday. Also on Wednesday, Jordan Thompson battled from a set down to beat fellow Australian Christopher O’Connell 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 while Alexei Popyrin got past Stefano Travaglia 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
