Aryna Sabalenka broke the back of her Berlin WTA first-round loss streak with a 6-3, 6-2 opening victory on Tuesday over Vera Zvonareva.
World No. 2 Sabalenka had gone out at the first hurdle in both of her previous appearances in the German capital, but ended that disappointment in 68 minutes against her veteran opponent from qualifying.
Sabalenka was competing for the first time since her Roland Garros semi-final loss to Karolina Muchova.
The top seed was dominant against Zvonereva, finalist at Wimbledon 13 years ago, running her record to 3-0 in the series.
Sabalenka advanced with 27 winners and breaks on three of nine chances while never facing a break point against her own serve.
