World number six Maria Sakkari struggled against Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek but managed to reach the second round of the Adelaide International on Monday and kick off the new WTA season in three sets.

The 26-year-old Greek was kept on court for just over two hours before seeing off Zidansek 6-2, 0-6, 6-4.

Third seed Sakkari, who broke into the top 10 in November, admitted she had been well below her best as she warms up for the Australian Open later this month.

“I didn’t feel great to be perfectly honest,” she said.

“It wasn’t a good match from my side but I found a way through it, which sometimes is enough, and I’m excited to be in the second round.”

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