Well, well, well. Turns out James Ward is hell-bent on proving some British cheer. The world number 103, who made the cut because of a number of withdrawals, races ahead against Verdasco with a double break.

Image source, Reuters

A quick look away from the British players' travails and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka has won the most anticipated match of the first round, beating Sloane Stephens for the third year running, this time 6-3 6-2. Those two have plenty of previous.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Stan Wawrinka has just set foot on Rod Laver Arena for the first time since last year's surprise win as he takes on Turkey's Marsel Ilhan.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Some good news! James Ward makes a flying start on a windy court seven with a break of serve in the first game and then fends off a break point to consolidate the break."

If James Ward was feeling any pressure after Heather Watson's demise and Kyle Edmund's expected exit, he isn't showing it. The British number two, who is 103 in the world, breaks Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the first game. The first game! Cracking start on Court 7.

Aidan Williams:, external I do hope this doesn't deflate Watson much. 38th in the world means you're doing something right! Just a tough setback.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"OK, it is not exactly going well for the Britons so far. After Watson makes a swift exit, Johnson quickly moves a break up in the third set. Meanwhile, James Ward is knocking up on court seven with 31st seed Fernando Verdasco. No pressure, James…"

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Heather Watson puts a towel over her shoulder and trudges off court. Of the three British players playing today, one is out."

An afternoon from hell is all over for Heather Watson. The British number one struggled with illness through her first-round showdown with Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova and is finally put out of her misery.

Heather Watson cuts a forlorn figure out there, despite showing glimmers of energy. Pironkova nails a triple break and moves within touching distance of the match.

No dream comeback for Kyle Edmund in the second. No problem for Johnson, who's serves out the second set to love and is on course for a straightforward win. Edmund's issues remain the same - not enough first serves or meaningful returns.

The second set follows a similar pattern to the first, with little between the two men but Steve Johnson more ruthless when the chance appears, converting the only break point of the second set and the holding to love. A two-set lead is within sight for the American.

But there is some heart to take for Kyle Edmund in the next. The young Yorkshireman serves out to love, leaving Johnson having to toss up for the second set.

Sam Barker:, external This is hard to watch. Hev normally a beacon of positivity but clearly in pain in a match she had every chance in.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Watson squats behind the baseline in some distress after seeing three break points slip by at 0-40, and the British number one is looking more and more unwell as the match progresses. Thoughts of a retirement might occur to some, but Watson batters two brilliant backhand winners in the next game and urges herself - and the crowd - on. Pironkova still gets the break, however, and this one could be over as a real contest."

Image source, AP

Double break for Tsvetana Pironkova as Heather Watson edges closer to a first-round defeat. The British number one, who is struggling with illness, shows remarkable fight to save two break points. Can she stop a third? No. Pironkova can almost see the safety of round two.

Great Britain's Kyle Edmund is nothing if not calm. He came back from a set down in his previous two qualifying matches and he remains apparently unruffled here. One beautiful lob takes him close to that elusive break in game two and he then hits his way confidently out of danger from deuce in game three.

This is a sad sight. We know Heather Watson is a fighter, one of her great strengths, and she will not give up easily. But Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova snatches a break in the first game of the second set. That won't cheer Watson up.

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"Watson is barely moving out there. What a shame this is. She has done so well to get to a career high ranking, then she gets to the first round of the first Slam of the year and it appears she is not feeling well.

"She looks really heavy legged and is almost using the racquet as a walking stick. I'm not sure she will be able to finish this match."

Thankfully Watson is back to her feet again as the second set kicks off. Let's hope the variety of gels, powders, potions and lotions (all legal of course) that she was given by her medical staff earlier start kicking in soon.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

"Pironkova just about gets over the line to take the first set although Watson was threatening a comeback until she sent a backhand sailing long. The Briton's serve remains the issue today, especially the second serve which she is struggling to defend."

No dramatic first-set comeback from Heather Watson. The British number one punches the strings of her racquet, then slumps to the court, hunched forward on her elbows and knees. She looks like she could be about to barf as that illness returns.