Australia’s Astra Sharma has blown a golden chance to advance in the WTA tournament at Melbourne Park, falling to Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi.

Sharma, who made the Australian Open mixed doubles final in 2019, looked sharp early in her opening round clash on Sunday with the world No.94.

The 25-year-old was two points from a straight-sets victory but stumbled to bow out 1-6 7-5 6-2.

Currently ranked world No.125, Sharma is coached by Dave Taylor, who was Samantha Stosur’s long-time mentor.

But WA-raised Sharma spends a lot of her time in the US, playing in the college system.,

Fellow Australian Arina Rodionova was also an early casualty, beaten by French 12th seed Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-4 ,while Maddison Inglis only managed to win three games against Swede Rebecca Peterson.

The women are playing in two WTA events, running concurrently, while a third starts Wednesday ahead of the February 8 Open start date.

Australia’s world No.1 Ash Barty has a first-round bye in a star-studded Yarra Valley Classic draw, where Sofia Kenin, Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova and Petra Kvitova are also looming in the round of 32.

Romania’s Simona Halep is the top seed in the Gippsland Trophy draw, while reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka and world No.5 Elina Svitolina are also expected to feature strongly.