MELBOURNE, Australia — Second-seeded Dinara Safina has won her opening match at the Australian Open, beating Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia 6-4, 6-4.

Safina, who is seeking her first Grand Slam title, broke Rybarikova's serve at 3-3 in the second set and went on to win the match when Rybarikova hit a forehand into the net.

It was the first completed match of the tournament.

Safina will play the winner of a first-round match between qualifier Regina Kulikova of Russia and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic.

Rain delayed matches on outside courts for about 45 minutes, but play started on time in the two covered stadiums, including Rod Laver Arena.