It was harder work than expected for UMMC Ekaterinburg when they joined the action in the EuroLeague Women against Novi Zagreb at home.
The main factor in avoiding an opening round upset for Final Eight hosts UMMC was Diana Taurasi.
Last season's top scorer picked up from where she had left off, scoring 25 points in 33 minutes, whilst also pulling down eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.
The guard also blocked two shots, came up with a steal and stayed perfect from the foul line in her eight attempts.
Taurasi made four of five shots from inside and three of eight from outside the arch, underlining her ability to be a threat from all over the court.
Her inspiring performance earned her the weekly MVP award with an accumulated efficiency of 35, two better than runner up Shenise Johnson of UE Sopron.
Taurasi had won two weekly MVP awards last season, when playing for Galatasaray Istanbul.
