Gstaad, Switzerland, 18 July 2018 | tennis.com.au

Back on her favoured clay surface, Sam Stosur has made an impressive start at the WTA tournament in Gstaad.

The fifth seed powered past Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-3 6-2 in the opening round. Stosur did not drop serve in the 77-minute clash on Roy Emerson Arena, a rematch of the 2010 French Open final.

It sets up a second round showdown with Swiss wildcard Patty Schnyder, a 39-year-old former world No.7. It will be their fifth career meeting – but first since 2011.

John Millman, competing in an ATP clay event in the Swedish city of Bastad, scored a comprehensive first round win in 51 minutes.

RANKINGS WATCH: Six Australians at career-highs

Millman, currently ranked at a career-high No.52, lost only five points on serve in a 6-0 6-2 win over Argentina’s Guido Andreozzi. He’ll face another Argentine in the second round, world No.87 Federico Delbonis.

But it was a rough day for Australians at the ATP event in Newport, with Alex De Minaur, Bernard Tomic and Alex Bolt all eliminated.

Israel’s Dudi Sela defeated Tomic 6-3 1-6 6-2, with American wildcard Christian Harrison posting a 6-3 4-6 7-5 win over Bolt.

De Minaur battled hard against big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic, a player 20 years his senior. Karlovic prevailed 6-7(2) 7-6(3) 7-5 in a two hour, 24 minute clash.

de Minaur: 19 years old
Karlovic: 39 years old

de Minaur: 5'11"
Karlovic: 6'11"

First set ➡️ de Minaur 7-6(2)#DellTechOpen pic.twitter.com/5SIccDvMOf

— Tennis Hall of Fame (@TennisHalloFame) July 17, 2018

Jordan Thompson and Matthew Ebden will compete in second round matches tomorrow, with Thompson also combining with Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt in doubles action.