Former women's world number one Kim Clijsters surprised herself - and her opponent Marion Bartoli - with her victorious comeback to tennis.

After a two-year break in which time she married and gave birth to her first child, the Belgian beat world number 13 Marion Bartoli of France 6-4 6-3 to reach the second round of the Cincinnati Open.

"I didn't really have any expectations", Clijsters said. "I just wanted to go out there and play - I guess my mindset was a bit different.

"I think what I did well was even when my level was a little bit up and down, mentally I stayed focused. That's what I am really happy with."

Bartoli was stunned by the standard of play that Clijsters produced.

"Two years without playing a match - it's pretty amazing the level she has already right now," she said. "I guess the level of play, yes, it's inside the top 10 already. I can tell you that.

"The way she was moving and hitting and her physical strength after two years without playing a match it's just amazing."