​Former champion Kimiko Date-Krumm began her assault on a second Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge title with a 6-0, 6-0 hammering of American wildcard Alexandra Riley in Dubai on Monday.

The Japanese 44-year-old is returning from a hip injury that has kept her out of action since her tough three-set defeat to Victoria Azarenka in Tokyo in September.

But Date-Krumm, a champion in Dubai in 2012, showed no signs of trouble against Riley as she stormed into the second round where she faces 33-year-old Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino, a 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 winner over No8 seed Danka Kovinic.

Top-seeded Jana Cepelova will commence her title defence against Russia’s Alexandra Panova on Court 3 on Tuesday.

The 17th edition of the Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge – a $75K ITF event – takes place at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort and Spa from November 10 to 15.​

Also read: Kimiko Date-Krumm warns Caroline Wozniacki of marathon ramifications