David Warner responded to doubts over his position as a Test opener, breaking the shackles with a stunning century on the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide.

Warner brought up his third Test ton in just 93 deliveries, with his dynamic century including 13 boundaries and four sixes.

The left-hander had received great support from senior teammates Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke earlier in the week.

Ponting said it was only a matter of time until Warner carved out a record similar to Adam Gilchrist before him.

Captain Clarke said on Wednesday that Warner had battled some mental demons since his failure in the first Test at Brisbane.

Encouraged to play his natural game, Warner cleared his head at training during the week and came out on the opening morning and smashed the Proteas all over the ground.

Warner had scored more than 30 just five times in 17 Tests leading into Adelaide.

But right from the get-go on Thursday, Warner stuck to his philosophy of “see the ball, hit the ball.”

At one stage during the first session he stood at the other end as opening partner Ed Cowan (10), Rob Quiney (0) and Ricky Ponting (4) fell within the space of 15 deliveries to make things precarious at 3-55.

But Warner fearlessly continued to follow his instincts and combined beautifully with skipper Clarke.

After lunch he smashed Faf du Plessis’ first Test delivery over the square leg fence where it became lost in the construction work at the Adelaide Oval.