Former World No 1 Dinara Safina [ Images ] celebrated her return to Stade Uniprix with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Germany's [ Images ] Andrea Petkovic at the Montreal Cup on Monday and declared herself 100-percent pain-free after a horror run of injuries.

Russian Safina, who left to a standing ovation with the tournament's crystral trophy two years ago, enjoyed a more humble reception on centre court, with a small afternoon crowd greeting her victory with a smattering of applause.

"If I was not 100 percent there would be no reason to risk because the year is almost finished," Safina told reporters. "If I wasn't healthy I would take time off."

Injuries have seen Safina's ranking tumble to 70 after the 24-year-old took top spot last year.

Following a back injury that forced her out of Wimbledon [ Images ], the Russian snapped a run of six consecutive losses by beating Alona Bondarenko in the first round of San Diego earlier this month, but was bundled out in the next match.

Kim Clijsters [ Images ] stalled her comeback run in the second round of the Cincinnati Open last week.

"It hurts (to be ranked 70th) but it's more important I'm here, I'm playing and I am healthy," she said.

The win over the 39th-ranked German on Monday was just her fourth since the Australian Open [ Images ] and none of them have been back-to-back.

Safina expects that to change in Montreal, one of her favourite venues.

"It's a nice feeling to be back, I've played some of the best tennis in my career here," said Safina. "I hope they will put me a bit more on centre court so I can feel the crowd. With their support I will try to do my best.

"For how long I don't know but I will give my best."

A return to form for Safina would provide a welcome boost for the tournament, which has suffered from the withdrawals of the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova [ Images ], who sustained a heel injury during her loss to Clijsters in the Cincinnati Open final.

After a rain delay, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi dumped out 14th seed Shahar Peer of Israel 6-3, 6-3.

Belgian 13th seed Yanina Wickmayer [ Images ] eased past Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 7-6, while 16th seed Aravane Rezai [ Images ] tamed Czech Petra Kvitova [ Images ] 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.