Guangzhou, China, 17 September 2019 | tennis.com.au

A sensational serving performance from Sam Stosur sent the Australian through to the second round of the WTA Guangzhou Open on Monday night.

Stosur beat Czech qualifier Tereza Martincova 6-2 6-4 in 78 minutes, notching her 600th career win in a glittering 20-year pro career.

Guangzhou, R1: S. Stosur d. T. Martincova 6-2 6-4

600th career W for, 23rd WTA player (8th active one) to do so since 1968

5. S. Williams 826W
6. V. Williams 810W
13. Kuznetsova 654W
14. Sharapova 645W
15. Jankovic 644W
17. Wozniacki 626W
19. Kerber 620W
23. Stosur 600W

— Diego Barbiani (@Diego_Barbiani) September 16, 2019

The 35-year-old next faces Bernarda Pera, who overcame eighth seed Ons Jabeur in straight sets.

“She’s been doing well the last couple of years on Tour and she’s a lefty. That’s not always easy for me, it’s a good challenge so looking forward to it,” Stosur told wtatennis.com about her next match.

A wildcard entry into the main draw, Stosur lost just four points on her first serve for the entire match at a success rate of 89 per cent.

She gets it! @bambamsam30 advances to the 2️⃣nd round at the #GuangzhouOpen.

She storms past Martincova, 6-2, 6-4 💪 pic.twitter.com/3aN701uu6r

— wta (@WTA) September 16, 2019

“I got off to a really good start, got used to the conditions quickly, which was good. The second set got tighter and closer, but to get through that in straight sets, I’m very, very happy,” she said.

“I don’t mind the hot and humid conditions but I’m so sweaty I need to change my clothes every 20 minutes. You can’t do that in a match so it’s a bit of a struggle. But normally in the heat I don’t mind it, so fingers crossed I can bounce back.”

Stosur, currently ranked 129th, last week reached the second round at the WTA tournament in Nanchang.