Twice ASB Classic semifinalist Marion Bartoli was forced to dig deep before progressing 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-1 against fellow Frenchwomen Emile Loit.
The number six seed took a while to get into the action on Court 4 against her opponent ranked 40 places below her at 73 in the world.
The match produced some quality rallies with Bartoli in particular pounding the backcourt forcing Loit on the defence.
At the crucial points Bartoli raised her game; however her opponent produced some deft shots of her own.
Bartoli said she was pleased to get the win under her belt.
"It was at tough match but I always knew it would be. Emile played very well in the first set," she said.
"It was tough to play against another French girl, but obviously we knew each others game and tactics.
"It's always good to win your first match of the year."
Both players held serve throughout the opening set but Loit raced into a 4-0 lead in the tiebreak.
Bartoli levelled but Loit found the extra resolve to take the opening set.
After a set dominated by the server, the beginning of the second saw both players lose their first two games on serve.
Loit finally held her serve to lead 3-2 but an injury timeout by Bartoli helped change the shape of the match.
The 21-year-old needed treatment for a thigh injury but the break seemed to galvanise her game.
She won the next four games with ease to take the second set 6-3.
The one-way traffic continued at the start of the third set with Bartoli winning the first three games.
Loit then needed some treatment on an ankle injury, and just like Bartoli, she seemed to raise her game and she won her next service game.
But it was only a brief respite from the Bartoli onslaught as she powered her way to the next three games and a place in the second round.
She will now play Laura Granville, who won a see-saw battle against qualifier Shanay Perry 6-3 1-6 6-3.
Bartoli has played her a couple of times before and knows she faces a battle.
"I know her game. She is a baseliner and she hits the ball very hard. I will have to play a confident game. You have to be ready and focused on your game."
TV ONE will show live coverage of the ASB Classic with streaming here on tvnz.co.nz.
