Jakub Smrz clocked the fastest time in first qualifying on the opening day of the 2009 FIM World Superbike Championship season.

Smrz's time was just good enough to edge veteran Nori Haga into second by 0.257secs - the Japanese rider enjoying a good first-up day on his new Ducati 1198.

British rider Leon Haslam finished third in the timesheets as most of the riders made good of the warm conditions.

Less than a second separated the top 14 riders and Smrz said he has enjoyed his first day back after showing early promise he could improve on his overall 13th-place finish in the championship last year.

"For me, Phillip Island is almost the best circuit in the world. It is easy for me to make a good lap here," Smrz told the World Superbike Championship's official website www.worldsbk.com.

"The bike is a good bike and 95% similar to last year's so I have been able to get on the pace very quickly. For sure, I have a lot of confidence with the tyre, even in these hot conditions."

Smrz will be looking to take his good form into tomorrow when the new Super-pole 'knockout' system will be used to decide grid places for Sunday's two races.

The new system will involved three 12-minute sessions for the top-20 qualified riders.