The former US Open Champion didn't have the best home soil record going into the match and it looked set to continue but digging deep she pushed a 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory.

“I’m really happy with that win. Dominika’s always really tough to play against,” Stosur said post-match.

"I thought I played really well, and as the match went on I got better and better.

"I thought I served great. I was really confident going into that last game because of all the momentum I felt like I had. Yeah, obviously really pleased."

The win comes after a first-round exit at the Brisbane International last week to qualifier Marie Bouzkova, making it her fifth first-round exit in six starts in her hometown tournament. 

Before turning her attention to the Australian Open the 34-year-old will face world No.192 Timea Bacsinszky in the second round.

Fellow Aussies Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Gavrilova didn't fare as well, both going down to their opponents in straight sets on a day rain affected every match.