Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka started off her last tournament before the season-ending WTA Championships by crushing Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands 6-0 6-2 in the first round of the Generali Ladies.

Coming off her win in Beijing, Azarenka dominated the match from the start as Rus looked overwhelmed. The Dutch player double-faulted eight times and won only two points on her serve in the opening set.

"It was definitely not easy," Azarenka said.

"I've done something incredible last week. The court here is different but I did well to adapt."

Azarenka, who conceded one break and saved three more break points in the second set, will next play Simona Halep of Romania.

"Being No.1 means you're more targeted by the other players," Azarenka said.

"I just try to stick to my own game."

Julia Goerges became the first player to advance to the quarter-finals by defeating Romina Oprandi of Switzerland 6-3 6-3.

The fifth-seeded German saved all four break points she faced against Oprandi, who was a quarterfinalist in Beijing last week.

Goerges will next face either fourth-seeded Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic or Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden.