World number one Aryna Sabalenka opened her season with a 6-4 6-0 thrashing of Renata Zarazua at the Brisbane International.
After receiving a bye for the first round, it took Sabalenka just 63 minutes to beat Mexico’s Zarazua and set up a third-round contest against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.
Sabalenka starts the year as the top-ranked player for the first time in her career after winning the US Open in September.
The Belarusian is aiming to win her third straight Australian Open in January but said she is not concerned about the weight of expectation that is upon her.
“I have to say I’m past that stage of being under pressure,” Sabalenka said.
“When you’re in the top five, you’re always kind of under pressure with the ranking points and all of the title defences so I prefer to just focus on myself.
“So I always keep myself hungry and I’m always hungry for titles, for wins. Winning is addicting.”
Sabalenka reached the final of the Brisbane International last season but lost to Elena Rybakina.
