Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Tomljanovic, Kyrgios lead Aussie hopes on day two; Djokovic begins 11th title quest

There was double heartbreak for Australian tennis on Sunday night as Daria Saville and Adam Walton exited the Australian Open after both relinquished the advantage in their first-round matches on the opening day.

Four local hopes hit the courts, but none progressed to the second round on a rain-hit day at Melbourne Park that attracted more than 55,000 spectators to the day session.

Daria Saville in er three-set defeat on day one. Credit: Getty Images

Wildcard recipient and world No.124 Saville lamented a missed opportunity after Russian Anna Blinkova came from one set down to snatch victory after two hours and 32 minutes of tight tennis that finished close to midnight on Margaret Court Arena.

“I had so many chances,” said a disappointed Saville, who was trying to reach the Australian Open second round for the first time since 2021.

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“I should have won in two sets. That’s what should have happened.”

Saville was especially frustrated by missed break point chances in the 6-1, 4-6, 5-7 defeat.

“Even though I won the first set 6-1 it was still very tight in games,” she said.

“I just played the big points better than she did, and had so many break points in the second set. Giving up a golden chance to progress to the next stage at her home slam was a tough result to swallow,” Saville said.

“I love the crowd, I love the support,” said the 30-year-old.

“I just feel sad that I couldn’t win it for them.”

Queenslander Walton also gave up the advantage in his energy-sapping five-setter against Frenchman Quentin Halys, going down 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 5-7 after three hours and 38 minutes on court three.

Walton, 25, was playing his fifth grand slam main draw and his second Australian Open.

“I’ll try not to think about it too much as it’s killing me right now,” he said.

Testing times: Australian Adam Walton in action on Sunday night. Credit: Getty Images

“To play in main draw slams … it’s what everyone tries to play tennis for. It’s where all the money and points are at. Obviously, if you make main draw slam cuts, you’re doing very good.”

The world No.90 was buoyed by the pro-Australian crowd on court three which stuck deep into the evening.

“The crowd and the atmosphere was electric,” he said.

“I’m shattered to not get over the line. I felt like I was pretty close. I had some break points in the third set, especially early in the third set I thought he was maybe lacking a little bit of energy.”

Australia’s Omar Jasika and Li Tu, both wildcards, also lost their first-round matches earlier on Sunday.

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