Rising Australian tennis talent Alexei Popyrin is the first local to be knocked out of the Sydney International after losing a first-round heartbreaker to Martin Klizan.
Popyrin, who also lost his first match in Brisbane last week against Alex de Minaur, came back from one set down and 0-3 in the second on Sunday to force a final set.
Spurred on by a hearty crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena, the 19-year-old pushed the world No.41 to a tiebreaker before eventually falling 7-6 (6-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 41 minutes.
“It was great match. Of course he came back – that’s sport; that’s tennis. It was very close match and I’m very happy I’m through to the next round,” Klizan said.
“I’m sure he’s going to be very good player.
“Of course, when you play in front of the home crowd, you always play much better. It’s a decent first match this year.”
Earlier on Sunday, Australian wildcard hopefuls Christopher O’Connell, Destanee Aiava, Alexandra Bozovic and Abbie Meyers all lost their qualifying matches.
Australia’s top-ranked male, de Minaur, opens his account against Serbian Dusan Lajovic, while No.1 female Ashleigh Barty takes on Jelena Ostapenko on Monday or Tuesday.