Melbourne - Jelena Dokic on Monday began the quest for an Australian Open wild card with an opening victory in the playoff event for the Grand Slam entry spot.

Dokic defeated teenager Sophie Letcher 6-3 6-0 as a long-awaited comeback looks like getting serious for former world number four Dokic.

Dokic, 25 and ranked 179, has still made only the first step during this week's competition at Melbourne Park for hopefuls seeking a place at the Grand Slam from next January 19.

The winner, a teenaged Wimbledon semi-finalist, credited her renewed fitness with seeing her through on a chilly spring day.

"I had a little bit of a slow start because it was a little cold but overall I'm happy," she told local media. "I didn't have to play to my maximum. I feel like I've come into this playoff with more confidence than usual."

There was bad luck for Aussie bad boy Bernard Tomic as the controversial youngster lost his opening match.

The reigning junior champion was involved in an ugly incident this month when he was yanked off the court by his irate father over foot faults which the elder Tomic said were not being called.

Tomic senior was forced into a weekend apology, but his son's immediate tennis fate rests with an ITF investigation of the incident. (dpa)