First-round casualty Ashleigh Barty admits she pressed too hard in search of an elusive maiden main-draw Wimbledon win.

A former junior champion at The All England club, Barty saved five match points before finally succumbing 7-5 7-6 (10-8) to world No.5 Elina Svitolina.

But as gallant as she was, the Australian rued an opportunity lost after failing to serve out the opening set from 5-3 up and then being unable to snatch the tense second-set tiebreaker to force a decider.

“I just overplayed a little bit, especially towards the end of the first,” Barty said after the two-hour show-court duel.

“I gave away a few cheapies, a few too many cheapies in the whole match.

“Yeah, I certainly had my opportunities and had a few points. I mean, if I could have a dozen points over again, I feel like it may be a different result.

“But, no, I made a few too many errors today, especially off my forehand.”

The 21-year-old arrived in London in fine form, having reached the final in Birmingham, where she lost in three sets to dual Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.

“Anyone that I drew I was going to see as an opportunity,” Barty said.

“I feel great, I have been playing great. Today it just didn’t quite come off for me.”

Barty will now turn her attention to doubles with Casey Dellacqua.

The dynamic duo last month become the first all-Australian pairing to reach the women’s final at all four grand slams in half a century of professional tennis.

But they have yet to break through.

“We have given ourselves an opportunity in all slams,” Barty said.

“Obviously I’m very comfortable on the grass. Casey’s very comfortable on the grass.

“We both grew up on hard court. Casey’s made multiple slam finals at the French. For us, it’s just another tournament.”