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Australian Ajla Tomljanovic has defeated Russian Liudmila Samsonova in the first round of the WTA Tour's Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

Ajla Tomljanovic has ensured it was a tough day for local hopes at the WTA Tour's Kremlin Cup with victory over Liudmila Samsonova.

Tomljanovic, who reached the last 16 at Indian Wells last week, powered through her first-round match in Moscow 6-2 6-4 against Russian Samsonova.

The Australian will face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina upset Daria Kasatkina in straight sets to advance to the second round.

World No.57 Kalinina won 6-2 6-3 against Russian Kasatkina, who is 29 places higher in the rankings.

Russia's Anna Kalinskaya fared better than her fellow countrywomen as she defeated Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.

American Bernarda Pera and Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko also progressed to the round of 16 with straight-sets wins over Serbian Aleksandra Krunic and China's Qinwen Zheng respectively.