Wildcard Ajla Tomljanovic is the first local to bite the dust on day two of the Australian Open, unable to join boyfriend Nick Kyrgios in the second round.
The 24-year-old sparred with Czech clay-court specialist Lucie Safarova, a 2015 finalist at Roland Garros, before crashing out 6-3 7-5 in one hour and 26 minutes.
The Croatian-born Aussie, who cracked the top 50 in 2015, was on the back foot throughout the match, with her first-serve percentage hovering at 50 per cent.
Meanwhile, seeded for the first time at a grand slam, Ashleigh Barty is vowing to embrace the added hometown pressure when she begins her Australian Open campaign.
The Australian No.1 is the last match on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, taking on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
While fragile veteran Samantha Stosur crumbled to her third successive first-round loss at her home grand slam, Barty is hopeful she can use the crowd to her advantage.
“There’s nothing better than walking out onto an Australian Open court with the crowd behind you,” the world No.17 said.
“I’d certainly love to play my best tennis and have my best run in a grand slam here, so fingers crossed I can band it all together and play well this week.”
Other Australians in action on day two include Destanee Aiava up against world No.1 Simona Halep and fellow teen Alex de Minaur taking on Czech 19th seed Tomas Berdych.
De Minaur is fresh off his shock run to the Sydney International final and not without hope against the former Wimbledon finalist.
Thanasi Kokkinakis will play de Minaur’s Sydney conqueror, exciting Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Five Australians are already through to round two after wins on Monday for Kyrgios, Matthew Ebden, John Millman, Daria Gavrilova and Olivia Rogowska.
OTHER AUSTRALIANS IN ACTION ON DAY TWO OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN
* Women’s singles, first round
18-Ashleigh Barty v Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
Destanee Aiava v 1-Simona Halep (ROM)
Lizette Cabrera v Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA)
* Men’s singles, first round
Jordan Thompson v Nicolas Kicker (ARG)
Alex de Minaur v 19-Tomas Berdych (CZE)
Thanasi Kokkinakis v Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
Alexei Popyrin v Tim Smyczek (USA)
