But any hopes of forcing Hantuchova onto the backfoot on her serve swiftly evaporate as the Slovakian races to 40-0 before Watson carelessly sends a forehand long to concede the second game of the set.

A solid start to the second set from Heather Watson as she makes up for the disappointment of losing that first by taking the early advantage in the second.

Jamie Murray
British doubles player on BBC Radio 5

I didn't expect Laura Robson to do particularly well in this match because of the preparation she had. Did she play well? No. She played rubbish, but maybe she was forced to change the way she likes to play because of the wrist problem she's had. I'd imagine there's a lot of that kind of thinking going through her mind. Her build-up to the tournament was far from ideal and that showed out there on the court.

Bradley Hill:, external Bad start of year from Laura but she played a really tough player who was on top form tonight.

Amy Trafankowska:, external Oh dear not a good one from Laura Robson. Struggling after coming back from an injury. Well Heather Watson, down to you

Watson nets and lets out a squeal of anguish as she falls a set behind. Her hopes rather fizzled out there after threatening to take control at 5-4 up. Can she recover from that disappointment?

More bad news for British fans as Heather Watson eventually lost that service game and Daniela Hantuchova races to 40-0 on her own serve and three set points.

And that's that. Kirsten Flipkens moves to match point and Laura Robson can do no more than tamely send an effort into the net as her Australian Open challenge ends in just under an hour. The British number one cuts a forlorn figure as she trudges off.

While Laura Robson's challenge looks all but over, Heather Watson's is very much alive. But she slips to 15-40 down at 5-5 before rallying to take the game to deuce. She produces two aces as she saves two break points at a crucial point, allowing herself a gleeful fist pump along the way.

Over on Court Three, it's match point to Kirsten Flipkens.

Laura Robson, looking increasingly listless, concedes yet another game on the Flipkens serve, as the Belgian cruises into a 5-0 lead.

Is Laura Robson on her way out of the Australian Open? She's barely threatening on the Kirsten Flipkens serve and, at 3-0 down, is broken once again to trail 4-0. She's looking pretty disheartened right now. Has she got any anything left?

Is this Heather Watson's moment to pounce? Daniela Hantuchova serves to stay in the first set but Watson forces 30-30. She then has a relatively straightforward chance at a winner from mid-court, but clips the net to give the Slovakian some much-needed relief. Watson persists, forcing deuce, but Hantuchova clings on to make it 5-5.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

There's plenty of support for the Australian-born Robson on Court Three but they haven't had a great deal to cheer so far. The British number one looks rusty in only her second match of the season, and the sharper footwork of Flipkens is making a big difference.

Steve Harris:, external Robson breaking down on serve... major gremlins following off season... such an integral part of her game letting her down.

Jack Bishop:, external Too often Robson's first shot in rally is going mid net. I love her attacking game but she needs to get in the rallies.

After Kirsten Flipkens holds serve at the start of the second set, she then gets a slice of luck as she top-edges a forehand to force a break point. Laura Robson saves that, but Flipkens persists - defending stubbornly - and Robson nets to fall 2-0 down.

Better news on Court Two as Heather Watson edges 5-4 ahead on serve.

Heather Watson breaks! She moves 0-30 ahead on Daniela Hantuchova's serve and the Slovak then sends a routine forehand into the tram lines to give the Brit three break points. Hantuchova claws her way back to 30-40 with the aid of a booming serve, but her fourth sloppy error of the game gives Watson the break she needed. 4-4.

Heather Watson, meanwhile, remains a break down as Daniela Hantuchova moves 4-3 ahead on Court Two.

And Flipkens makes no mistake, capitalising on the first of the two break points to take the first set 6-3. Can Robson respond?

Danger for Laura Robson, who slips to 0-30 behind as she serves to stay in the first set. But she shows plenty of confidence to pick a looping ball out of the sunshine and smash it back past Flipkens for 15-30. But a classy forehand winner from Flipkens forces two set points...

Image source, other

Laura Robson sees out a routine service game then sets about putting some pressure on the Kirsten Flipkens serve. The Briton starts well, taking the first point of the game, but a fifth ace of the match helps the Belgian as she takes the next four points in a row to claim a 5-3 lead.

Despite a solid start, Heather Watson now trails 3-2 as she is broken by Daniela Hantuchova in game five. "She won't be too worried yet though," says Jamie Murray on BBC Radio 5 live. "She's looking sprightly around the court and there'll be plenty more twists and turns."