Simona Halep showed no sign of problems with her back as she cruised into the Australian Open second round with a comfortable win over Queensland's Lizette Cabrera.
The two-time grand slam champion - a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park last year - swept aside her opponent 6-2 6-1 in less than an hour.
Halep, the second seed, required treatment on tight muscles in her lower back during the build-up to the tournament but said her body felt "good" against Cabrera.
"Today was a good day," Halep said.
"It was really tough to start the tournament after so long and when you play for first time with an opponent it's always difficult."
Cabrera, who earlier squandered two break-point opportunities, broke Halep's serve for the first time to stay alive at 5-1 in the second set.
The 23-year-old showed fight, but was ultimately no match for her highly decorated opponent, who studied video of wildcard Cabrera with her Australian coach Darren Cahill.
"I want to congratulate her," Halep said.
"I know that she's still young, so she still has the future ahead."
Halep will meet another Australian, Ajla Tomljanovic, in the second round after the world No.69 registered a straight-sets win over Japan's Misaki Doi.
"It's always difficult to play a big hitter, because Ajla Tomljanovic is hitting very strong," Halep said.
"I have just to be strong on my legs, to focus on myself and to give my best."
Halep has strengthened her local connection by pairing with South Australian teenager Charlotte Kempenars-Pocz for the doubles tournament.
The pair will take on Australian duo Arina Rodionova and Storm Sanders in the first round.
