2008 champion and second seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko edged past Elena Baltacha of Britain 7-6(6), 6-1 to reach the second round of Estoril Open, Portugal on Tuesday.

In the rematch of the 2011 final, defending champion Anabel Medina Garrigues downed German qualifier Kristina Barrois 6-4, 6-1.

"I couldn't warm up properly because it was raining before, so the beginning was a bit strange, but I started to feel better once we got going," said third seeded Medina Garrigues.

"When you win a tournament you always want to come back and defend it the next year, but every match here is going to be difficult and I have to go step by step. Tomorrow I have another match. We'll see."

Another former champion Zheng Jie, who won the title in 2006, defeated Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-1.

Other winners of the day include fourth seeded Petra Cetkovska, sixth seeded Kaia Kanepi and ninth seeded Polona Hercog.