Storm Hunter has put almost two years of injury pain behind her, becoming the second local woman to win her first-round match at the Australian Open.

After Talia Gibson won through a day earlier, the 31-year-old Hunter defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-4 in 87 minutes on Kia Arena on Monday, surging back from a break down in both sets to win her fourth match at Melbourne Park this year.

Hunter had to win through qualifying last week to secure her place in the main draw, after a difficult year and a half following an achilles injury.

“Coming back from an achilles rupture is really tough mentally and physically, all the training,” she said. “I didn’t think I could be back playing at this level again and so I’m just happy all the hard work I’ve done with my team, it’s paid off.”

She said she only managed to get through it by just showing up every day.

“No matter how you feel, just keep putting your best foot forward. Some days it’s not going to happen, but you go do it,” she said. “Every day I just showed up and worked hard, and then one day it kind of just clicks, and today it clicked for me.”

Bouzas Maneiro is ranked 40, more than 300 places above the Australian. But Hunter looked more assured on a warm day at Kia Arena, which saw queues of people snaking around its perimeter hoping to catch a glimpse of the first of nine Australians in action on Monday.

The former doubles world No 1 hit more winners and had fewer unforced errors than the Spaniard and returned 84% of serves, a rate 16 percentage points higher than Bouzas Maneiro.

Hunter meets world No 70 Hailey Baptiste in the second round, after the American beat countrywoman Taylor Townsend – a lucky loser – in three sets on Sunday.

The Australian told the on-court announcer she “is so full of joy” playing the tournament. “I can’t believe I get another singles match,” she said, shrugging her shoulders and smiling.