Top-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova had to battle through three sets to a 6-0 5-7 6-1 victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first round of the J&T Banka Prague Open.
After coasting through the opening set, the world number 13 was put on the defensive as Sasnovich recovered to level.
However, Kuznetsova recovered her composure to secure an early break in the deciding set, which she closed out for victory in one hour and 50 minutes.
Lifted by the home crowd, number two seeded Czech Lucie Safarova fought back from losing the opening set to beat Colombia's Mariana Duque Marino 3-6 6-3 6-3 for a first win since recovering from a bacterial infection which forced her out of the Australian Open.
There was also victory for 2015 champion Karolina Pliskova, as the third seed home player defeated Swiss Stefanie Voegele 6-1 6-3.
Fourth seed Samantha Stosur is also through, beating Sorana Cirstea 3-6 6-4 6-2, as is fifth seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova after her 6-3 7-5 win over Olga Govortsova, but number seven seed Dominika Cibulkova is out after a 6-2 6-2 defeat by lucky loser Barbora Krejcikova.
Source: PA
