Stosur reached the next round after receiving a walkover when Zarina Diyas had to retire with a left knee injury in the first set and now plays British wildcard Katie Boulter.

Barty had the perfect start to the grass season with a straight-sets victory (6-3 6-3) over Swiss opponent Stefanie Voegele.

Australia’s No.1 and two-time quarterfinalist at the Nottingham Open set up a first meeting with Duan Yingying of China in the second round.

“It just brings out a little bit of extra confidence, knowing that I did play well this time last year,” Barty told the WTA.

“I feel I can try to do that again, and we’re off to a good start.

“The beauty of grass-court tennis is that you get better with matches, and there’s no better way than to get out there and try to fix up your game," she said.