Tokyo, Japan, 23 September 2013 | tennis.com.au

Sam Stosur has won her first match since falling in the first round at the US Open, recovering from a set down to beat France’s Alize Cornet at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Japan.

Despite the slow start, Stosur improved as the match wore on to run out a 2-6 6-4 6-1 victor at the $2.37 million WTA Premier event at Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum.

“Very happy to move into the second round in Tokyo,” Stosur said via Facebook. “Thanks to all the fans who stayed after a long day of tennis.”

It did not look promising in the early stages however; as the 29th-ranked Cornet surged, Stosur faltered, spraying a forehand error wide to surrender the opening set.

The complexion of the second set was immediately different as the Australian broke early to lead 2-0, only for the Frenchwoman to work her way back into the contest and level at 3-3.

Yet an unfortunately-timed double fault from Cornet on set point proved her undoing.

Having escaped a tight spot, Stosur flourished, following up a deep backhand with a powerful forehand down the line for a service break and a 2-0 lead.

Cornet’s resistance had crumbled, and the 12th seed raced through the deciding set, smiting a crosscourt forehand winner to seal victory in one hour and 49 minutes.

In the second round, Stosur faces the winner of the match between popular local veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm and Aussie qualifier Anastasia Rodionova.