Former world no 1 Dinara Safina started her campaign at Rogers Cup, Montreal with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Germany's Andrea Petkovic on Monday.

"It's a nice feeling to be back. I've played my best tennis here," said 2008 winner, who is attempting her comeback after being plagued by series of injuries. "When I went on the court the people cheered and it was really nice. I'll try to win more and hopefully they'll put me on Centre Court so I can feel that again."

She will next face the winner of match between Nadia Petrova and Lucie Safarova.

Belgian 13th seed Yanina Wickmayer edged past past Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3 7-6, while 16th seed Aravane prevailed 6-7 7-5 6-3 against Czech Petra Kvitova.

"I decided to change my game plan after losing the first set and play longer rallies," Rezai said. "I wanted to keep fighting and eventually it paid off."

Kaia Kanepi of Estonia posted the upset of day as she downed 14th seeded Shahar Peer of Israel 6-3 6-3.

Other winners of the day were Yaroslava Shvedova, Klara Zakopalova, Timea Bacsinszky, Sybille Bammer, Jarmila Groth, Iveta Benesova and Vania King and lucky loser Patty Schnyder.