World number one Aryna Sabalenka opened her season with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Renata Zarazua at the Brisbane International.
After a first-round bye, Sabalenka needed just 63 minutes to beat Mexico’s Zarazua and set up a third-round match against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.
Sabalenka started 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 for a third consecutive win at the Australian Open in January, but said he was not worried about the weight of expectations placed on him.
“I have to say that I am past the stage of being under pressure,” Sabalenka said.
“When you are in the top five, you are always under pressure with the ranking points and all the defense of the title, so I prefer to focus on myself.
“So I always keep myself hungry and I’m always hungry for titles, wins. Winning is addictive.”
Sabalenka reached the final of the Brisbane International last season but lost to Elena Rybakina.
