Kournikova and Hingis, who were the world's number one doubles team in 1999 and are seeded second here, wasted little time beating Czech pair Klara Kukalova and Alena Vaskova 6-0 6-3 in 44 minutes to reach the second round.

"This was just my second match in a long time, so I think I handled myself really well tonight," said Kournikova, who lost to fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina in the first round of last week's Leipzig Grand Prix.

"It's important now for me to concentrate on both the physical and mental part of my game," she added.

"If I won't be ready physically to play at a high level again, then it won't matter what kind of mental preparation I will have and it's just vice-versa, the other way around -- I have to be sharp mentally to complement my physical condition."

Kournikova, whose only other match in almost nine months was a first-round defeat in San Diego in late July, said she felt nervous after her lay-off.

"I had to get back into the rhythm of the game again. It was very difficult when I played last week, the first time after such a long break," she said.

"I just hope that I don't have any more injuries and that my leg is fully healed. I will try to play as much as possible now because competing in matches will help me."

While Kournikova was happy just to be playing again, Hingis had a bigger reason to smile on Monday.

Hingis, who turned 21 on Sunday, was presented with a birthday cake after the match.

"My room looks like a flower shop, I could sell them now," said the Swiss world number one.

Hingis, who beat Kournikova in last year's Kremlin Cup final, said she also received a painting from Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, an avid tennis fan. Luzhkov partnered Steffi Graf in an exhibition doubles match a few years ago in Moscow.

"I got a cake, a painting from the mayor, a jewelry box and some champagne, it's great," Hingis said with a broad smile.