Heather Watson
Watson suffered from illness during her defeat but will compete in the doubles competition Getty Images

Heather Watson, James Ward and Kyle Edmund were all comprehensively dumped out of the first round of the Australian Open to leave Great Britain with just one singles representative after two days in Melbourne.

Andy Murray, who faces Marinko Matosevic in the second round on Wednesday (21 January), is the only remaining player in the men's and women's singles after three harrowing defeats overnight left British tennis facing a familiar story.

Watson suffered from illness on her way to a straight sets loss to Tsvetana Pironkova, losing the last seven games in a row as the Bulgarian prevailed 6-4 6-0.

"I felt very light-headed and low on energy - it's a shame that it's today," the British No.1 told BBC Sport.

"I get it sometimes. I'm going to go and see the doctor afterwards and see if there's anything I can do to help with times like these in the future. I think it's just one of these things that I have, girl things. It just happens."

Ward came the closest to securing a second round place after winning the first set and spurning set points in the third set, before Spain's Fernando Verdasco overcame the 27-year-old 2-6 6-0 7-6 (8-6) 6-3.

James Ward
Ward succumbed to Verdasco - a former semi-finalist in Melbourne Getty Images

"It's come down to one or two points," said Ward. "It was tough but I thought I played well.

"Of course if I'd held two more times in the third I've won the set but it was tough conditions out there, very windy. We both played well. Even in the tie-break I gave myself a chance."

Edmund had come through three rounds of qualifying to take his place in the main draw at the Australian Open for the first time, but his run down under was short lived as he was thumped by Steve Johnson.

The South African-born Brit was broken once in each of the first two sets before a double break in the third allowed Johnson, ranked 38<sup>th in the world, to set up a round two clash with Santiago Giraldo.

Kyle Edmund
Edmund toiled against the dominant serve of the American Johnson Getty Images

"There wasn't a lot of rhythm due to the fact that he was serving really well," the 20-year-old said.

"It's just something I have to take away, work on and use as a stepping stone to get better.

"To qualify, win three matches and play my first round is a good experience. Looking back on it, it's still been a good week."

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