World No.2 Brett Wilkie has bowed out of the Australian Open after a disastrous day on the greens at the Australian Open.

Having already been eliminated from the triples in round one at the Darebin International Sports Centre, the former world champion turned his attention to the singles and pairs on Tuesday but was unable to rekindle his success of three years ago when he won the individual title.

Wilkie was edged out of his round three singles match by Jesse Noronha in the tie-break, and was unable to make amends in the round two pairs alongside Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist Mark Casey, with the duo getting burnt in straight sets.

It proved to be a dark day for defending champions, with reigning pairs titleholders Neville Rodda and Lee Schraner dropping out of the competition in straight sets to South Australia’s Peter Thaler and Phil Hay.

It was a similar scenario in the men’s triples, with defending champions Nick McIntyre, Matthew Flapper and Ali Forsyth suffering defeat at the hands of powerhouse combination Russell Green, world No.1 Leif Selby and Asia Pacific Championships gold medallist Nathan Rice.

Meanwhile, the semi-final positions of the women’s singles were locked in, with four big game players set on a collision course for the final.

Australian captain Lynsey Armitage progressed to the semi-final of the women’s singles after knocking off 2008 champion Katrina Wright in straight sets.

She now faces a showdown against an in-form Kellie Bowles.

In the other semi-final, defending titleholder Lisa Phillips will be looking to become the first player to go back-to-back in the Australian Open singles, but faces a daunting task against Commonwealth Games silver medallist Claire Duke.