Serial medallists Leisel Jones and Anna Meares open their campaigns for three gold medals each at the Delhi Commonwealth Games on Tuesday but their biggest danger comes from teammates.

As Jones bids to repeat her hat-trick of breaststroke titles from the 2006 Melbourne Games, she faces a challenge in Tuesday's 50m final from 18-year-old Leiston Pickett.

The 25-year-old eight-time Olympic medallist is a hot favourite in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, but will be pushed in the one-lap event by fellow Queenslander Pickett who set the Commonwealth's fastest time of the year in Monday's heats.

After opening the swimming program with three out of the five gold medals on offer on day one, Australia could reinforce its dominance on day two.

Ashley Delaney, Hayden Stoeckel and Daniel Arnamnart are the three fastest qualifiers for the 50m backstroke final, while Marieke Guerher, Emily Seebohm and 15-year-old Yolane Kukla could easily trifecta the final of the women's 50m butterfly.

And Meares defends her title in cycling's 500m individual time trial with training partner Kaarle McCulloch her greatest threat in the absence of England's Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton.

McCulloch was not hiding her ambition as she and Olympic gold and silver medallist Meares battle for the time trial and sprint titles before joining forces in the team sprint.

"I've got a very strong opponent in fellow teammate Anna Meares, who is out to win three gold medals. But so am I," McCulloch said.

The veracity of Australia's cycling resurgence will be tested on Tuesday, with youngster Jack Bobridge a chance for gold in the 4000m individual pursuit.

Four gold medals will be decided at the shooting range, with Australia's best hopes coming from the men's 50m pistol pairing of Bruce Quick and David Moore, who have won 19 Commonwealth Games medals between them.

Australia's women's gymnasts are out to defend their teams title and emulate the men who won their first ever Commonwealth teams gold on Monday.

Paul Mulvey
AAP