Samantha Stosur has claimed the opening set of her first-round clash with Czech world No.16 Lucie Safarova at the Sydney International.

Australian No.1 Stosur prevailed 7-6 in a rain-interrupted match in which the players had come off court twice already.

Stosur held her nerve on serve to save three set points in the 12th game then took the tiebreaker 7-3.

The Queenslander trails 9-2 in previous clashes with Safarova and victory would be a huge boost ahead of next week’s Australian Open.