Wildcard Lizette Cabrera admitted her American opponent Ann Li was braver when it mattered most after letting a golden opportunity for a maiden Australian Open victory go begging.
The 22-year-old Australian served for both sets against the US qualifier in the opening round on Monday but was broken on each occasion in the 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (12-10) loss.
The 22-year-old showed plenty of pluck in the second-set tiebreak, saving five match points before Li finally claimed the victory on her grand slam debut after a brief rain delay.
"I was pretty disappointed with today's match," Cabrera told AAP.
"I did have a lot of opportunities. Ann's a good friend, she played really well and was braver in the bigger moments.
"But I'm still happy with the way I competed and fought even though it wasn't my best tennis."
Cabrera has now been beaten in straight sets in each of her three singles matches at her home grand slam.
"It's always a dream to be the main draw at the Australian Open," she said.
"I felt like I had a lot of good matches last week and felt really ready.
"Maturity-wise, I've had a couple of years since I last played (at the Open).
"It's disappointing because it's your home slam and I really wanted to win.
"But overall, looking back at the game, I wouldn't change anything. I gave myself the best chance."
In a tough start for the local contingent at Melbourne Park, fellow Australians Andrew Harris and John Patrick Smith also crashed out at the first hurdle.
Harris, the 25-year-old son of former Australian Open quarter-finalist Anne Minter bowed out 6-3 6-1 6-3 to Italian No.8 seed Matteo Berrettini.
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.
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.
Australian Associated Press
