Top seed Maria Sharapova's Australian Open dream almost evaporated in the furnace of Melbourne's centre court Tuesday as Kim Clijsters showed the form that has made her a favourite for the title.

Three-time Australian Open

champion Martina Hingis also reinforced her credentials with a crushing win, as the main matches of the tournament's first round concluded in scorching conditions.

US Open holder and world number two Sharapova did not look a champion-in-waiting as she dragged herself around the court to post a 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 win over

Frenchwoman Camille Pin.

The tour's 19-year-old glamour drawcard was red-faced, struggling for breath and looked poised to vomit on occasions, admitting

she felt "delusional" in court temperatures she estimated at 47 Celsius (117 Fahrenheit).

After receiving medical treatment, Sharapova insisted her draining opening round would not affect the rest of her tournament.

"I'll be ready," she said of her second round clash with fellow Russian Anastassia Rodionova.

Fourth seed Clijsters swept aside Russian Vasilisa Bardina 60, 6-0, saying she felt "in the zone" and in similar form to when she claimed the 2005 US Open, her sole Grand Slam title.

The 23-year-old, who will retire at the end of the year to start a family, was unfazed at being installed the bookies' favourite for the tournament just two months into a comeback from injury.

"It's nice. I mean people say it because they think I'm playing good tennis," she said, but said it was too early to speculate on whether she could win the championship.

"It's a bit too early to even talk about anything like that or talk about second weeks or anything," said Clijsters, who next faces either Akiko Morigami of Japan or Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova.

Sixth seed Hingis demolished France's Nathalie Dechy 6-0, 6-2 in under an hour, saying she felt mentally prepared for the tournament after returning here in 2006 after a three-year lay-off and making a surprise run to the quarterfinals.

Hingis said her past success in the Australian Open, including victories in 1997, 98 and 99, meant she felt confident in the Rod Laver Arena.

"Having all those great memories definitely helps," she said. "Going out there, being in the finals three times, have won it three

SEE PAGE18 COL 1 FROM PAGE 20

times, I can adjust. It just feels really like going back home."

And she likes the way she is playing.

"I played very well. I think sometimes really the first game was almost key. I was very nervous."

Elsewhere in the women's draw, emerging Serb star Ana Ivanovic beat American Vania King 6-2, 6-0 and India's Sania Mirza downed Ukrainian Olga Savchuk 6-3, 7-5.

Local hopes Samantha Stosur and Alicia Molik also posted victories, while Japan's Aiko Nakamura upset Eleni Daniilidou of Greece, seeded 32.