The Australian women's water polo team began their quest for a first FINA World League title in style on Tuesday with a clinical 12-5 opening-game thumping of Brazil in China.
While they have won Olympic and world championship gold, the Aussie Stingers have never graced the top step of the podium at the 10 World League tournaments held so far.
The Australians entered the tournament in winning style, having beaten Olympic champions USA in their home pool at the Intercontinental Cup last month and carried that form into their clash with the hungry Brazilians, turning a 3-2 quarter-time lead into a 6-2 halftime advantage.
Led by skipper and dual Olympic bronze medallist Bronwen Knox and her teammates from London 2012, Rowie Webster and Glencora McGhie, the Stingers won the third period 3-2 and closed out the match with a 3-1 final term for the seven-goal victory.
Webster pocketed four goals including a second-half hat-trick, while Knox bagged a treble and Hannah Buckling a pair.
Australia play the second of their three Group B pool games on Wednesday at 9.30pm (AEST) against hosts and defending champions China and then face Italy the following day.
Canada, Spain, Russia and USA make up Group A.
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