Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, 1 March 2017 | tennis.com.au

Ajla Tomljanovic has made a welcome return to the tennis court with victory in her first-round match in Acapulco.

In her first competitive outing in 13 months, the Croatian-born Aussie beat sixth seed Eugenie Bouchard 7-6(4) 6-1 on Tuesday.

First win since 2015!@AjlaTom beats Bouchard 7-6(4), 6-1 for a spot in @AbiertoTelcel Second round! #AMT2017 pic.twitter.com/iQqY3byST3

— WTA (@WTA) March 1, 2017

The former world No.47, unranked after being sidelined due to shoulder surgery, has entered the Acapulco event using a protected ranking.

She next faces Kirsten Flipkens, who needed three sets to see off Mexican wildcard Renata Zarazua in the first round on Monday.