Flipkens looked beaten there, but somehow manages to dig a lob out with a one-handed backhand and then storms into a 40-0 lead in this game.

She attempts to serve and volley with an aggressive approach to the net, but Konta briefly keeps the game alive before sending her return long.

Konta hasn't quite got that backhand sussed yet. The first attempt in this game found the net and her second goes long. 

But Flipkens doesn't have any answer for the ninth seed's forehand at the minute, as Konta pulls a winner across court to level up on games.

Big first serve from Konta on her first service point of the match sees Flipkens unable to muster any meaningful return, but the Syndey-born Brit then sends a backhand into the net on the next point.

That's a lovely winner to make it 30-15 though, opening up her body and whipping one from centre court beyond the Belgian.

That's the first game on serve. 

Konta attempts a backhand winner down the line to peg it back to deuce but she can't keep it in and Flipkens moves ahead.

Right then, Kirsten Flipkens gets us under way but it's Britain's Jo Konta off the mark first.

The Belgian pulls it back to 30-15 as Konta catches the frame with an attempted forehand, but her next effort is much better and levels up the game.

* denotes the next server 

Konta and Flipkens are out warming up on the Margaret Court Arena, and it's looking toasty down there already - we're hearing 35c and it's not yet hit midday in Melbourne

It's going to be a hot one...

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Czech Grand Slam doubles winner Andrea Hlavackova on Radio 5 live sports extra: "It's going to very tough today. It hasn't been this hot yet - players will need to take a lot of water on board."

There are four Brits in singles action today, with Jo Konta, Kyle Edmund and Heather Watson all set to feature in the first session. Naomi Broady will play later in Melbourne.

• Johanna Konta v Kirsten Flipkens
• Kyle Edmund v Santiago Giraldo
• Heather Watson v Samantha Stosur
• Daria Gavrilova v Naomi Broady

As for those already through, well world number one Andy Murray booked his spot in the second round with a straight-set victory over Illya Marchenko on Monday, before fellow Briton Dan Evans followed suit with a win against Facundo Bagnis.

Image source, Getty Images

Sue Barker, who reached the semi-finals of the women's singles at the Australian Open in 1975 and 1977, believes Johanna Konta is good enough to win this year's competition.

"Last year's Australian Open was her big breakthrough tournament," Barker told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

"We had been seeing her get better and better but at the Australian Open she started to believe in herself. She has not sat back and has improved week after week.

"She is hitting the ball so hard and she is not just a top-10 player, she is a Grand Slam contender."

Image source, Getty Images

Well then, we're back for day two and first up is another British hopeful in action in Melbourne.

Britain's women's number one Johanna Konta heads into her Australian Open first round meeting with Kirsten Flipkens in fine form, having won the Sydney International warm up event last week.

Sydney-born Konta reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open last year - the furthest she has ever progressed in a Grand Slam.  

Could this be the year the world number nine breaks her Grand Slam duck?