Australian Open title contenders Elina Svitolina and Johanna Konta both impressed with first-round Brisbane International wins on Monday.
Petra Kvitova's grand slam preparation has been disrupted though, the two-time Wimbledon champion withdrawing hours before her opening-round match citing a virus.
Third seed Svitolina powered past Carla Suarez Navarro in a high-quality tussle, the Ukrainian prevailing 6-2 6-4 as the energetic Spaniard made her work for every point.
Ultimately the world No.6 had the answers, rattling off a series of winners to claim the first set before pouncing on Suarez Navarro's serve at 5-4 to complete the victory.
Konta's 4-6 6-4 6-3 win against US Open finalist Madison Keys was just as impressive, the world No.9 recovering from a set down to prevail in a touch over two hours.
Svitolina had a career-best year in 2017, winning a tour-best five WTA titles to peak at a career-high ranking of No.3.
Chuffed at how well she served in key moments on Monday, Svitolina admitted that climbing to the top of the women's rankings this year is on her mind.
"Of course this is the goal, but I don't want to have this pressure," she said.
"(I just want to) play my best and improve each tournament, each match and be strong mentally - there's lots of things (I want to achieve), not only being No.1.
"There was some tough moments, was struggling with a few injuries ... but I think we're on the right path."
Fifth seed Konta's victory broke a four-match losing streak for the Brit, who will next play Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic in the second round.
"It feels good to come through a match like that, especially in three sets and especially someone like her," Konta said.
"But I never lost faith in my ability. And I think every player goes through periods in their career, multiple times, where things aren't turning out the way that you want them to."
Meanwhile, Kvitova withdrew from the tournament with a viral illness and was replaced by lucky loser Heather Watson of Great Britain.
Kvitova is faring well in her comeback from hand surgery after being stabbed in a home invasion about one year ago, and was ranked No.29 to start the Australian summer.
Watson was promptly bounced out in her first-round clash 6-0 6-3 by Estonia's Anett Kontaveit on Monday.
In the biggest upset of the day, qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus upstaged French sixth seed Kristina Mladenovic 1-6 6-3 7-5.
Meanwhile, 2012 Brisbane champion Kaia Kanepi disposed of Daria Kasatkina 6-2 6-2 and will play the winner of Monday night's match between Australia's Ashleigh Barty and Lesia Tsurenko of the Ukraine.
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