Seles has conceded just five games in two matches. Her first round opponent [compatriot Brie Rippner] retired injured after one game, and the No.4 seed effortlessly disposed of Miroslava Vavrinec on Wednesday 6-2 6-3.
Seles, who possesses an almost flawless singles record at Melbourne Park [33 wins on the trot until Hingis beat her in the 1999 semis], is coming off her best year since 1992. Last year, she won three titles and reached the quarterfinals or better in all 15 events she played.
A sentimental favourite here, Seles preferred to think of Wednesday’s match against the 88th-ranked Swiss player as her first round.
“I’m feeling OK out there. I just want to get through day by day. I love it here. I’ve always played well here, I like the surface,” said the 27-year-old veteran who has graced the professional circuit since 1988.
Needless to say, the nine-time Grand Slam singles champion is now faced with numerous questions regarding when she intends to retire.
“The day I stop really enjoying it, especially the practise and travelling side, I’ll stop. As long as I love to play and can compete at a high level, I’ll keep playing.
“This could be my last tournament. If I wake up and don’t want to play and I feel like that for a few days, then I’ll move on. In some ways I look forward to that,” said Seles, who remains adamant that her life after tennis “is not going to be in the public or in the limelight”.
“I look forward to living my life as a private citizen.”