Late-blooming Andrew Harris’s grand slam debut has ended in a first-round loss to Italian No.8 seed Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open.

The 25-year-old son of former Australian Open quarter-finalist Anne Minter bowed out 6-3 6-1 6-3 on Monday.

Harris was awarded a wildcard to the Open after enjoying a career-best 2019 campaign which saw his ranking slashed from No.400 to 162.

Countryman John-Patrick Smith was also beaten in straight sets.

The 30-year-old wildcard playoff winner lost 6-3 7-5 6-4 to No.22 seed Guido Pella from Argentina.

,Smith has now lost all six of his main-draw singles matches at the majors.

There are nine Australians in action on day one at Melbourne Park including women’s world No.1 Ashleigh Barty, veteran Samantha Stosur and Davis Cup duo John Millman and Jordan Thompson.