She may have only decided to become Australian two years ago but former junior world No.1 Daria Gavrilova says she’s feeling the love in her adopted home.

The Russian-born 20-year-old continued her impressive recovery from a serious knee injury with a battling display against Germany’s world No.9 Angelique Kerber at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

Gavrilova may have gone down to the third seed 6-3 7-5 in the second round match but forced two-time grand slam semi-finalist Kerber to fight for every point in front of a receptive crowd at Pat Rafter Arena.

Gavrilova, who will play her third Australian Open later this month, says the support she’s received in Brisbane reflects a growing sense of familiarity with her new nation.

“Just feeling Australian and feeling like everyone is supporting me, it’s very great,” Gavrilova said.

The 2010 junior US Open champion is one of three foreign-born women in the Brisbane draw who call Australia home along with Jarmila Gajdosova and Ajla Tomljanovic.

The boyfriend of Luke Saville is undecided on whether she’ll play in Hobart or Sydney on her final stop before the Australian Open.

Sydney is her preference but wherever she goes it gives her another chance to show her new compatriots what she can do.

Gavrilova reached the second round in her Australian Open debut in 2013, and says she’s heading into this year’s grand slam aiming for an even better outcome.

“I’m more confident now because I’ve had these matches and I still have another tournament before the Australian Open,” she said.

“I’m very happy about this week.”