Finally! After losing the first 10 points on the Flipkens serve, Robson manages to win a point against the Belgian's serve. She swiftly follows that with a second to put a little pressure on her opponent, and an unfortunate net cord for Flipkens helps the Briton as the ball loops wide and Robson forces deuce. But Flipkens holds on and sends down a classy passing shot which bounces close to the baseline to hold for 4-2.

Daniela Hantuchova cracks a backhand into the net at 40-30 down on the Watson serve to give the British number three a 2-1 lead. Robson, also 40-30 up on serve, sends over a tasty cross-court forehand to take the game, reducing the deficit to 3-2.

Two service games down for Flipkens, zero points won against the serve by Robson. The British number one falls 3-1 behind without troubling the scorers. There are no signs of the wrist problem that affected her in the build-up, but Robson will need to start finding a way to trouble the Belgian on her serve.

In contrast, after holding serve in straightforward fashion, Heather Watson puts some early pressure on Daniela Hantuchova and races to the net to force a break point. She almost makes it count, but sends a backhand long and the Slovak clings on to hold serve to make it 1-1.

Robson belatedly gets some points on the board, holding serve to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Laura Robson really hasn't got going yet and she slips 2-0 behind, still to win a point as Flipkens holds serve easily.

Nightmare start for Laura Robson, who starts slowly and immediately finds herself three break points down. To compound her early misery, she then serves a double fault as Kirsten Flipkens breaks in the very first game of the match.

No such trouble for Heather Watson, though, as she comfortably takes the opener to earn a 1-0 lead.

Kenny Simpson:, external Think Watson will come through tonight but Robson has a very tough task vs Flipkens. She can win but I cant see it unfortunately.

Scott Wilson:, external Looking for Robbo to start 2014 with a straight sets victory tonight, strong performance required. Good to see Watson back too

Both Brits are out on court for their warm-ups and we'll be getting under way any minute. Don't forget BBC Radio 5 live's coverage has started already, with Russell Fuller watching Laura Robson and Alison Mitchell in position to report on Heather Watson.

Image source, other

Hantuchova, 30, is a former world number five and Australian Open semi-finalist in 2008, but recent form suggests she is one of the more vulnerable seeds. The Slovakian lost in the first round in three of her four Grand Slam appearances in 2013. Can Watson, fresh from winning three qualifying matches, take advantage?

Image source, Getty Images

The Belgian, 28, enjoyed her most impressive year to date in 2013, achieving career-best finishes in three of the four Grand Slams. Her run to the Wimbledon semi-finals helped her to 19th in the world rankings, though she has never been beyond the fourth round in Melbourne. "She's a tricky player," said Robson. "She plays a lot of slices, comes in, and it should be interesting."

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Disappointingly for British fans, Laura Robson and Heather Watson will play their first-round matches at the same time early on day one. As both face higher-ranked opposition there is the prospect of Andy Murray being the only remaining Brit in singles action by the time the UK wakes up, but Robson and Watson have caused upsets before. Both women have been put on outside show courts, Robson on the bowl-like Court Three and Watson on the slightly larger and scruffier Court Two. Bring water, hats, sunblock, fans, lilos etc.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

A year ruined by glandular fever means Heather Watson is ranked too low to gain direct entry into tournaments, but she has proved she has the spirit and the class to be in the main draw by coming through three rounds to qualify for the Brisbane International, and then again here.

Melbourne holds bittersweet memories for her: she managed to reach the third round last year despite the virus starting to rear its ugly head.

After such a wretched 2013, it was wonderful to see her surrounded by cameramen, reporters and well wishers (including some friends who have made the journey from Guernsey) as she left court after securing qualification.

The draw has not been particularly kind to her, but she's fit and healthy once more, and looking forward in time to rejoining Laura Robson in the world's top 50.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

For the second Grand Slam in a row, Laura Robson's preparations have been hindered by a wrist injury. The right one let her down at the US Open in New York, while tendinitis and a minor ligament strain in her left wrist mean she is yet to complete a match this season.

She withdrew from the ASB Classic in Auckland and then pulled out of her first match in Hobart early in the second set last week. She has, though, been playing full points in practice since Friday, and on the evidence of her workouts in Melbourne, the forehand that had been causing her discomfort is in good working order once more.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

It won't be the last time I say this over the next fortnight but - it's hot. Today is apparently just the warm-up, literally, for what is to come, but we're already nudging 23C before 11am and the mid 30s are expected later today. The following four days threaten highs in the 40s, which is a bit silly really. Waiting on all the desks in the media room this morning were handouts headlined 'Extreme Heat Policy'. More details to follow on that on the hours and days to come.

Watson endured a miserable 2013 as she struggled to overcome a bout of glandular fever she suffered early in the year. But that now seems to be well behind her and, despite that illness contributing to her slipping to 120 in the rankings, she impressed in qualifying, has a new coach - Diego Veronelli - and, like Robson, has enjoyed a degree of success in Melbourne, having made it to the third round in 2013.

Robson claims she is pain free and has been practising normally in the build-up. She has a new coach in Nick Saviano and has fond memories of this tournament - she reached the third round last year and stunned former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova along the way. With a world ranking of 46, the 19-year-old has the capacity to cause opponents some serious headaches.

Image source, Getty Images

Rewind seven days and it was far from certain that there would be any British interest in the ladies' draw at all. Laura Robson, the British number one, pulled out midway through a warm-up match in Hobart with a wrist injury, while Heather Watson - the British number three - had to negotiate three rounds of qualifying to make it into the first round. But now they're both here, there is plenty of cause for optimism…

Steve Harris:, external Watson and Robson both got it all to do in 1st rd... but both have the quality to get the job done.

Alex West:, external Murray all depends on how quickly he finds his form, could win it but that's unlikely and the two girls seconnd round.

As well as following this live text commentary, you can listen to both matches on BBC Radio 5 live from 0000 GMT. And don't be shy in getting involved - send me your thoughts on Twitter using #bbctennis, external or via text on 81111. How about a few predictions? How far can Robson and Watson go? Can they upset some of the bigger names or will they both be out within two hours of the tournament beginning? Don't forget to put your names on the texts.

Day one promises much, with Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams among the title contenders to get their campaigns under way, but we'll be focusing on the British interest at the start of the day, with Laura Robson taking on Kirsten Flipkens and Heather Watson up against Daniela Hantuchova. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 0005 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images