Samantha Stosur has continued the hosts’ golden start to the Australian Open with an impressive straight-sets first-round victory over Monica Niculescu.

Stosur outclassed the Romanian 6-4 6-1 in 79 minutes to book a second-round meeting on Thursday against Italian Francesca Schiavone or young American Coco Verdeweghe.

The former US Open champion is bidding to progress beyond the fourth round in Melbourne for the first time in 13 attempts.

“Obviously, I’ve had my struggles,” Stosur said.

“There’s obviously a few more nerves here in a grand slam but, I did alright,” Stosur said.

The 20th seed’s win gives Australia eight players in the second round, with four more playing later on Tuesday.