Bouchard, who has slumped from No.5 in the world to No.46 over the past two years, put in her strongest showing in recent months to knock over China's Shuai Zhang at the Sydney International.

The 22-year-old was well aware of her recent rough trot, which included just two WTA wins since August last year.

"It wasn't playing on my mind but it was definitely something I knew," Bouchard said following her 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 victory.

"Even last week [in Brisbane], to not get a win I was disappointed so I was really motivated to come out today and try and close out a match. Even though I was playing a lot of sets in practice, obviously practice is so different from real tournament matches. I want to play lots of tournaments and lots of matches the beginning of this year to get back into it."

Bouchard has been heavily criticised for her inability to continue what was a blistering start to her career.

In an interview with Fairfax Media leading into her first match in Sydney, Bouchard opened up on the level of hate aimed in her direction as a result of the slump, admitting she would take plenty of satisfaction out of proving wrong those who have written her off.

"I first and foremost play tennis for myself and want to achieve success and results for myself, but sometimes after getting a lot of hate, which of course I do, it is a little bit motivating for sure, to try and prove people wrong," she said.

"To try and prove to myself and everyone that I can do it and I can be successful. I'm on that path. There's a long way to go, but I hope I can do that."

Bouchard took extra time off over the off-season to holiday with friends in the Bahamas and spend time with family in Canada, sacrificing time on the courts in order to get herself mentally fresh for her Australian Open assault.

She admits finding the balance between when to practice and when to rest is always a juggling act, but has backed her decision to enjoy a light workload leading into the Australian summer.

"At the end of last year I felt I needed more of that break so that was important to me at that time," she said.

"I turned around and came back very motivated and excited for tennis but for me this season came quickly. I think it was still the right decision. I would have loved an extra couple of weeks of practice. After losing last week we used the whole week as an off-season practice week.

"I'm happy I get another match to try keep improving and get more match play. I haven't played much since last summer basically. I felt last week in Brisbane I need matches, matches, matches. I'm grateful I get another one on Tuesday."

Bouchard squandered a 5-2 lead in the opening set but managed to hold on in a tiebreaker, before stepping on the gas in the second set to record the victory a week after her disappointing loss in Brisbane.

"I feel better this week than last week, for sure," she said.

"Even stepping out on a court last week, I haven't played a match in so long or felt good on a tennis court in so long. Even getting a match in last week, even though I lost, it still helped me."

Meanwhile world No.1 Angelique Kerber, who missed last year's Sydney International through illness, will open her assault at Olympic Park on Monday as she continues to build for her Australian Open defence.

"To be honest, it's been a really unbelievable 12 months and what's happened in the last few months is just amazing," Kerber said.

"It's actually great being back here and feeling good to have a few matches here before going to Melbourne."

Australia's top two females, Sam Stosur and Daria Gavrilova, will also open their Sydney International campaigns when they square off against Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Croatia's Donna Vekic respectively.

Danish superstar Caroline Wozniacki will also begin her tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena on Monday.