Daria Saville (VIC) has made a confident start to her Brisbane International women’s singles campaign, dismissing Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska in the opening round.

The Aussie wildcard did not lose a service game in her 6-0 6-4 opening round victory at Pat Rafter Arena.

“It was really exciting to be back here playing in Brisbane,” Saville said. “I’ve got a lot of Queenslanders in my team actually. My coach (Jay Gooding) is a Queenslander.”

This is 29-year-old Saville’s first WTA main-draw win on Australian soil since February 2021.

“I’m really happy with the start and I’ve got doubles tomorrow, so another match,” Saville said.

“I’m just excited to be competing again.”

Saville continues to show promising signs in her return from a knee injury which sidelined her for six months during 2023.

Speaking to media earlier this week, the world No.209 declared she is determined to charge back up the WTA Tour singles rankings.

“I really want to come back inside top 20. That was my best ranking,” Saville said. “I think one of my other goals for this year is to become the No.1 Aussie.”

Her immediate focus, however, is now on a second-round meeting with world No.28 Anastasia Potapova, as well as doubles with close friend Daria Kasatkina.