SINGAPORE - Women's hockey powerhouse Australia were held to a 1-1 draw by world No. 8 Germany in the opening match of the inaugural The Project Group (TPG) International Tri-Series tournament on Monday evening.

In a scrappy opening, Australia's Grace Stewart gave her side the lead in the first quarter before Germany's Julia Muller evened the scores from a penalty corner in the second quarter at the Sengkang Stadium.

The triangular, which also features world and Olympic champions the Netherlands, will run till Saturday. All games start at 7pm at the Sengkang Stadium.

The Germans play the Dutch on Tuesday, while the Australians play the Dutch on Wednesday in a mouth-watering clash between the world's top- and third-ranked sides.