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Veteran Samantha Stosur is into the second round of the Australian Open after seeing off another Aussie in youngster Destanee Aiava 6-4 6-4.
Samantha Stosur has won the battle of Australian tennis generations, holding off local youngster Destanee Aiava in their opening round clash at Melbourne Park to secure her first singles win since 2015.
Stosur, making her 19th and potentially last Open, overcame 20-year-old Aiava 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday night.
The 36-year-old took most of 2020 off after her partner Liz Astling gave birth to daughter Evie in June and hasn't committed to another trip to Melbourne Park beyond this year.
After despairingly carrying the hopes of the nation for so long before handing over to Australia's current world No.1 Ash Barty, Stosur looked relaxed out on John Cain Arena.
Bidding to improve on her career-best fourth-round showings in 2006 and 2010, the 2011 US Open champion said she felt her match went to plan.
"I felt I was a lot more consistent and controlled than last week," Stosur said.
"I'm happy with that match and the way I played.
"I thought that I executed really well, which is all you can ask for."
Stosur, the 2019 Australian Open women's doubles champion, next faces American Jessica Pegula, who upset two-time champion Victoria Azarenka 7-5 6-4.