Australian Casey Dellacqua is through to the second round of the Hobart International after a straight sets victory over Belgian qualifier Alison Van Uytvanck.

Wildcard Dellacqua downed Van Uytvanck 6-4 6-4 after play was delayed for two hours by rain.

The 28-year-old, who made three grand slam doubles finals with Ashleigh Barty in 2013, made the crucial first set break in the ninth game to lead 5-4.

The left-hander converted her first set point with a blistering forehand down the line.

Dellacqua led 5-2 in the second but, serving for the match, was broken by her 19-year-old opponent.

Leading 5-4 she served out the match, converting her first match point when Van Uytvanck hit wide.

The West Australian will play either fourth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or American Alison Riske in the second round.

The Hobart tournament suffered a second blow in as many days on Monday when fifth seed Flavia Pennetta joined Venus Williams in withdrawing.

Pennetta has cited a wrist injury.

Her place has been filled by Belgian lucky loser An-Sophie Mestach.