Bencic: "Playing as a mother makes me more relaxed".

Belinda Bencic got her Australian Open off to the best possible start, defeating Jelena Ostapenko in the first round.

She made her return to competition in October, after maternity leave.

She told the post-match press conference: "It's matches like this that I need to get back to my level.

It was a good test for me, I tried to stay consistent and I felt good on the court. It's very motivating to see that I can already compete with the best in the world.

I'm feeling better and better in training and now I just need to confirm that with results.

Playing as a mother makes me more relaxed. I think I've taken the pressure off myself, because now there's something more important than tennis in my life."

She will face Suzan Lamens in the second round.