WA’s Astra Sharma is the first local through to the second round of the Australia Open, beating fellow Aussie Priscilla Hon in a dramatic encounter at Melbourne Park.

The 23-year-old grand slam debutante won 7-5 4-6 6-1 on Monday before Hon required medical assistance after the pair battled it out for more than two hours in searing heat.

Sharma’s second-round opponent will be the winner of the match between Greece’s Maria Sakkari and French Open 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko, the 22nd seed.