Reigning champion Kim Clijsters says she is slowly finding her rhythm after a grinding first round win over qualifier Maria Joao Koehler at the Australian Open.
Clijsters, who pulled out of the Brisbane International last week with an ailing hip, struggled to read her opponent in the opening exchanges before going on to win the match comfortably, 7-5 6-1.
The Belgian was terse when asked about her hip troubles, saying she had fully recovered, but admitted to a little rustiness early on in the match.
"It was hard kind of to read her serve a little bit and to get used to a player that you've never played against and you don't really know or have seen play before," Clijsters said.
"I really felt like I had to find my rhythm in there. I felt that once I got it going that I was in charge most of the time. That was good."
Having missed the chance to defend her US Open crown in August due to a stomach injury, the latest hip complaint sent a scare through Clijsters' camp, but the Belgian said there were no lingering doubts.
"I'm happy that it's over with. So, yeah, it's behind me. But it's obviously something that we keep a close eye on, that we have treated every day still," she said.
"My stomach muscle was probably one of the worst ones. I felt scared hitting the smash and the serve. But gradually you get over that."
"After the injury in Brisbane, I didn't feel anything or I didn't feel like it was kind of in my head where I felt restricted moving-wise, although I probably should avoid that split a little bit."
With her best still ahead of her and a match up with unseeded Frenchwoman Stephanie Foretz Gacon awaiting her in the second round, Clijsters was philosophical about her early form.
"I don't think anybody plays a Grand Slam playing seven perfect matches. So you have to fight your way through it sometimes and find that little extra on the most important points," she said.