Angelique Kerber has started her Madrid Open campaign strongly by securing a place in the second round courtesy of a 6-4 6-2 victory over Alize Cornet.

Both competitors were evenly matched in the opening exchanges due to games going by the way of serve in the first set, but it was Kerber who managed to snatch the first break.

It took a few games for the number six seed to find her feet, but some swift returns and powerful shots across the court ensured that she grabbed a one-set lead.

Cornet needed to fight back in the second set but she was dealt an early blow when Kerber broke her opponent at the first time of asking.

While Cornet managed to get back into the match by holding her service game, she didn't have enough to trouble Kerber, who wrapped up a straight-sets win in over one hour and a half.