Samantha Stosur has launched her Sydney International campaign with a spirited three-set win over US Open finalist Roberta Vinci.

In a much-needed Australian Open confidence booster, Stosur rallied from a set and a service break down to defeat the higher-ranked Italian 4-6 7-5 7-5 in a two-hour, 32-minute rollercoaster ride on Monday

Stosur’s reward is a second-round shot at Daniela Hantuchova, the veteran Slovak who replaced injured second seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the bottom slot of the draw.