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Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko has overcome a sluggish start to her Adelaide International title defence.

Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko has survived an early fright to successfully launch her Adelaide International title defence.

Ostapenko dropped the first set against Poland's Magdalena Frech at Memorial Drive on Tuesday.

But the world No.7 responded emphatically to log a 4-6 6-1 6-1 first-round win.

Ostapenko, the tournament's eighth seed, was joined in the second round by sixth seed Diana Shnaider from Russia.

Shnaider, the world No.13, defeated Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova 6-3 0-6 6-0.

America's world No.20 Madison Keys produced a powerful performance to account for Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Keys, who captured the Adelaide title in 2022, was dynamic on return of serve in her 6-2 6-1 triumph and Maria Sakkari from Greece cruised past Czech Linda Noskova 6-3 6-3.