Jana Pittman-Rawlinson made a successful return to the 400 metres hurdles at the Meeting de Atletismo Malaga.

Showing no signs of an ankle injury that delayed her comeback, the 26-year-old clocked a time of 55.67 seconds to defeat current European leader Anastasiya Rabchenyuk (56.72) of Ukraine and South Africa's Janet Wienand (57.71).

Pittman-Rawlinson was relieved to get through the race unscathed and has set her sights on improving significantly in her next race in Switzerland on July 7.

"Today was a good start. I've just got to get some speed endurance in my legs because I'm just not quick enough," she said.

"I didn't die at all today but I just didn't run as quick as I would have hoped.

"I really did think that she (Rabchenyuk - who came fourth at the Beijing Olympics) would give me a run for my money.

"I didn't know what time I'd run and, considering she's run middle 54s for the last couple of races, I thought if I make an error here I'm going to lose.

"So to come off with a win I'm never going to be disappointed with that."