Garbiñe Muguruza opened up her title defence at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 win over Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova.
The fourth seeded Spaniard won the tricky encounter in 2 hours and 24 minutes.
In the second round, she will take on Veronika Kudermetova of Russia, who defeated former World No.1 and 2010 Dubai finalist Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-4.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus beat Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-4, 6-1, while Tunisia's Ons Jabeur overcame former World No.2 Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
Elsewhere, no.9 seed Danielle Collins of the US retired from her first-round match against Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic due to dizziness (2-6, 3-0).
The 38th-ranked Vondrousova will next face Russia's Varvara Gracheva, who defeated Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 7-5.
Fabrizio Romano reflects on independent media’s impact at BRIDGE
Desert Vipers down Gulf Giants to secure win in Super Over thriller
Fernandes double helps Man United to win as Wolves' misery continues
Real Madrid handed shock home loss as Celta Vigo spring surprise
Dubai Capitals overpower Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by 83 runs
