Dokic, representing Australia at Fed Cup for the first time since 2000, had a 6-0, 6-3 win over Lee Jin-A. Samantha Stosur beat Lee Ye-ra 6-2, 6-4 and then Casey Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs combined to win the doubles.

‘I could have gone to Europe or America but I made it very clear I wanted to play Fed Cup and I would always make myself available again for Australia, just like I did before,’ Dokic said. ‘There was no way for me to miss this opportunity to play again.’

In the other Group B encounter, Tamarine Tanasugarn led Thailand to a 3-0 win over Taiwan.

In Group A, India’s chances were reduced when No. 27-ranked Sania Mirza was forced to withdraw with a torn abdomenal muscle ahead of the matches against New Zealand. The New Zealanders won 3-0, while Indonesia had a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan.

The winning team of each pool will play off to determine which country advances to the World Group II playoffs in April.