Kournikova beat Swiss qualifier Marie-Gaianeh Mikaelian 6-4 6-3 in a convincing display which suggested she might be returning to her best form.

The Russian was in the world's top 10 before an eight-month lay-off with a stress fracture to her foot last year.

"I've been preparing for the indoor season for the last month, so I'm pleased to have played well in this first match," said Kournikova, who was given a wild card for the tournament.

"I think my game perhaps needs more stability, but I think that the way I played today I don't need much more.

"Of course when you have not played for a long time it is difficult to find your form again.

"Everyone knows I can play well and lots of people know that my fall in the ratings was because of my injury."

Fellow Russian Kafelnikov did not have such an easy ride, before finally subduing Belarussian Vladimir Voltchkov 4-6 6-3 7-6 in a thrilling match.

Kafelnikov, fresh from a Davis Cup semi-final victory over Argentina, struggled to find his rhythm in the first set.

The second seed stormed his way through the second set but in the third he let a 4-1 lead slip to find himself facing a tiebreak and possible elimination.

Voltchkov took the first three points of the tiebreak, but Kafelnikov won the next five in succession and eventually took the tiebreak 7-4 to clinch the match.

"I created problems for myself by losing at the start of the match, which gave confidence to my opponent," he said.