Juan Martin Del Porto made his return from a long injury lay-off as he secured a comfortable 6-3 7-6 (7-4) win over Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine in the first round of the Sydney International.

Del Potro is currently ranked as world number 338 after spending 10 months away from the court.

The Argentinian had surgery on his left wrist last year and he has plummeted down the rankings as a result.

The 26-year-old had to qualify for the main draw of the Sydney International via a wlldcard, even though he is the defending champion.

With the pressure on, Del Potro looked fit ahead of a busy 2015 season as he overcame Stakhovsky in 88 minutes. He smashed home seven aces and was never close to losing his own service game in the routine win.

He pulled out of the Brisbane international due to a pain in his wrist but the former US Open champion insists he is ready for more.

Speaking after his win, he said: “These guys are playing all year. It’s time to get back on the train again. This tournament is very special to me.”

Elsewhere in the tournament and Australian Bernard Tomic cruised past Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands 6-1 6-2 in just 43 minutes.

In the women’s draw top seed Simon Halep withdrew due to gastroenteritis.

The Romanian, 7.00 to win the Australian Open, believes she became ill in China but is confident she can return for the first Grand Slam of the season which starts on January 19 in Melbourne.