Midfielder Elano scored two first-half goals as Santos won 4-2 over Prudente in the Sao Paulo state championship on Sunday, picking up its third straight victory to begin the season.
In Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Cup, Brazilian champion Fluminense routed Olaria 6-2 after two goals by striker Fred, while Botafogo beat Cabofriense 5-0 thanks in part to two own goals scored by the same defender.
The goals were Elano's first since returning to Santos after six seasons in European football.
He opened the scoring with a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 13th minute at Prudentao stadium, and added to the lead by converting a penalty kick in the 23rd.
Santos, the defending champion in the Sao Paulo tournament, also had goals from former Barcelona striker Keirrison in the 55th and forward Maikon Leite in the 61st. Striker Romulo netted for Prudente in the 74th and 84th.
Elano, a starter for Brazil at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, returned to Santos this year after playing for Shaktar Donetsk, Manchester City and Galatasaray. It was his second match since coming back. He started Santos' 3-0 win over Mirassol on Wednesday.
Santos and Americana are the only teams to start the tournament with three straight wins. Santos is thriving even though it remains without young striker Neymar, who is with Brazil's under-20 team, and missing playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, who is recovering from knee surgery.
At Pacaembu stadium, striker Ronaldo again failed to score and Corinthians drew 1-1 with visiting Noroeste.
Striker Dentinho put Corinthians on the board in the 40th, but midfielder Thiago Marin equalized after a defensive mistake by veteran left back Roberto Carlos in the 57th.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras won its second match in a row after a 1-0 victory against Oeste in Itapolis, while Sao Paulo - which has just signed former Brazil and Barcelona star Rivaldo - lost 1-0 to Ponte Preta at Morumbi stadium on Saturday.
In Rio, Fluminense had a pair of goals from Fred and others from striker Rodriguinho and midfielder Marquinho in its 6-2 rout of Olaria at Engenhao stadium. Rodriguinho's goals came after replacing former Chelsea playmaker Deco, who injured his left thigh in the first half.
Botafogo beat Cabofriense 5-0 in Cabo Frio thanks to two own goals by Cabofriense defender Goeber six minutes apart in the first half. Goeber, the team's captain, was replaced at halftime.
Vasco da Gama rallied from two goals down in the first half against Nova Iguacu, but lost the match in Volta Redonda after allowing a 78th-minute goal. It was the team's second straight defeat to begin the season.
Flamengo, still without recently signed playmaker Ronaldinho, defeated America 3-1 at Edson Passos on Saturday for its second win in a row.
The Guanabara Cup is the first stage of the Rio championship, and its winner will play for the state title against the Rio Cup champion later in the tournament.
The Brazilian football season does not follow the European calendar and starts in the beginning of the year. Regional championships in the 26 states take place in the first few months, with the Brazilian league running from May until December.
