Clijsters & Hingis power through

Clijsters is trying to win her second Grand Slam title

Kim Clijsters got her last Australian Open off to a fine start by thrashing Russian teenager Vassilissa Bardina.

The 19-year-old Bardina reached the final in Hobart last week but was no match for Clijsters, who plans to quit the sport at the end of the year.

The Belgian, who won the Sydney title last week, powered to a 6-0 6-0 victory to set up a clash with Japan's Akiko Morigami in round two.

Martina Hingis also had an easy win, hammering Nathalie Dechy 6-0 6-2.

The Swiss goes on to play Russian Alla Kudryavtseva next.

I've done everything possible to last seven matches if I have to Kim Clijsters

Hingis, a three-time champion in Melbourne, said she felt fitter and mentally stronger after crushing Dechy.

"Every time I come back here I have been successful and I'm definitely more confident now than this time last year," said Hingis.

"I think mentally I'm at a different level because last year I was ranked nowhere and now I'm going into the tournament being seeded six.

"Sometimes the fitter survive, and you can see that."

Clijsters laid down her claims as the one to beat after her demolition of Russian Bardina.

The fourth seed said : "I feel like I'm fit at the moment, and I've done everything possible to last seven matches if I have to.

"I felt very 'in the zone' today, I was seeing the ball well.

"I always like to have a lot of matches. I remember when I won the US Open in 2005 I played a lot, and that was when I felt my best."