Caroline Wozniacki back on track in Beijing
After a tough stretch, the Australian Open champion showed signs of recovery with a victory at the China Open on Monday.
Caroline Wozniacki appeared to return to form at the China Open as she defeated a top-60 player for the first time since triumphing at Eastbourne.
The world number two has endured a torrid run of late, but she enjoyed an opening victory on Monday, with Garbiñe Muguruza and Naomi Osaka also among the big names to triumph.
Julia Goerges benefited from Lesia Tsurenko's retirement, while a knee injury to Madison Keys granted Anastasija Sevastova a walkover.
Seventh seed Karolina Pliskova progressed as she defeated Sam Stosur in straight sets.
WOZNIACKI WINNING AGAIN
Danish star Wozniacki appeared to be in top form heading into Wimbledon after defeating Angelique Kerber en route to victory at Eastbourne, but she could only reach the second round at the All England Club and crashed out at the same stage at the US Open.
Results outside of the majors have been no better, recording only rare victories against lower-ranked players, and so a routine win over Belinda Bencic may well mean more than it perhaps should.
Wozniacki was dominant in Beijing, defeating a player she has struggled against previously 6-2 6-3 in 81 minutes.
MUGURUZA THROUGH, MERTENS OUT
Former China champion Muguruza had, like Wozniacki, been enduring a tough time before finding form in Wuhan last week, with a 6-0 6-4 defeat of Ekaterina Makarova providing a further boost here.
Not every seed in action enjoyed themselves on Monday, though, as Elise Mertens exited.
Home hopeful Zhang Shuai profited from a rollercoaster match, knocking out the Belgian 6-1 3-6 6-3 to book her place in the next round.
OSAKA UP AND RUNNING
US Open champion Osaka withdrew from the Wuhan Open last week due to illness, but she had enough to come through her opening match in China.
The Japanese did not quite reach top form but saw off Zarina Diyas 6-4 6-3 to set up a clash with Danielle Collins.
Osaka took some time to forge the break in the first set, before kicking on in the second and securing a big lead, eventually triumphing at the end of an entertaining rally after Diyas threatened to fight back.