British number two Jodie Burrage cut a frustrated figure as she let a one-set lead slip before losing on her Australian Open main-draw debut.
Burrage was beaten 2-6 6-3 6-0 by Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch on the tournament’s historic Sunday start.
The Briton made a confident start but faded badly as Korpatsch took control and won nine of the final 10 games.
Burrage was the first of seven Britons playing in the singles, with the rest in action on Monday or Tuesday.
Receiving direct entry into the main draw in Melbourne for the first time was indicative of Burrage’s improved form over the past year.
But the manner in which the 24-year-old unravelled against Korpatsch illustrated the work she needs to do to achieve this season’s goal of cementing a place in the world’s top 100.
The afternoon started well for 102nd-ranked Burrage. Returning well and using her power from the baseline to push her opponent deep, she earned two break points in third game and took the first when Korpatsch hit long.
Burrage took a second opportunity to move 4-1 ahead, putting away a crosscourt forehand winner which demonstrated her growing confidence, and served out to take the opening set in 28 minutes.
Korpatsch, who beat Burrage twice at the end of last season, went for a six-minute bathroom break in an effort to regroup.
It seemed to work as the world number 81 discovered a higher level in the second set.
Korpatsch continued to make the points longer, drawing more errors out of Burrage from the baseline and the increased pressure led to Briton producing back-to-back double faults to gift her opponent a 4-2 lead.
Burrage survived a set point as she served her way out of trouble for 5-3 and threatened to break back in the ninth game before Korpatsch got over the line to level.
With momentum against her, Burrage looked increasingly edgy and it showed as her returning game continued to break down in the decider.
Another double fault helped Korpatsch move 3-0 ahead, while three unforced errors from the baseline handed over a triple break to the German.
Burrage’s annoyance was illustrated when she whacked a ball out of the court, earning her a warning from the umpire, with Korpatsch wrapping up victory with a confident hold.
World number one Novak Djokovic and defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka are in action later on Sunday, with first-round matches spread over three days.
Organisers claim the move was implemented in a bid to alleviate late-night finishes but, as Britain’s Andy Murray pointed out, is unlikely to make a great difference to that ongoing issue in reality.