'A few nerves': Devastation as match points blown in tough day for Aussies
It was a tough start to Wednesday for Aussies at the Australian Open, with both Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson eliminated.
Hunter was no match for American rising star Hailey Baptiste, who had too much power and explosiveness for the 31-year-old.
Gibson meanwhile won the first set against Russian No.23 seed Diana Schnaider and had match point opportunities in the second, but stumbled and had the huge opportunity to progress to the third round snatched from her grasp.
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Storm Hunter of Australia serves against Hailey Baptiste of the United States. Getty
A powerful hitter, the 21-year-old has this week announced herself on the grand slam stage.
While she was disappointed to bow out, Gibson believes she's layed a strong foundation for the future.
"It's a little bit disappointing to not have got the win. A few match points there in the second set, but overall I'm going to be nothing but proud of myself with that match today," she told reporters.
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Talia Gibson of Australia plays a backhand return to Diana Shnaider of Russia. AP
"I've done something I haven't done in my career, putting myself in a position to win a match and get through to the third round of a slam.
"Overall, it was very exciting to see what my level can do and I'm looking forward to what I can do next."
The youngster admitted she probably got a bit too nervous with those match points, which might have cost her.
"There were a few nerves in that moment. I tried to tell myself that it was just another point and to take it one by one, but credit to her, she played some great tennis in those moments," she said.
"A tough one to not win, but a great learning opportunity. Tomorrow is a new day. Going to get back out on the training court and start again.
"There was an opportunity. I had match points. There's been so many matches where people have match points and then they don't convert those match points and their opponent wins. It can happen. It's a good learning opportunity for me.
"There's no reason why I shouldn't take so many positives from that match. I'm really proud of (my Australian Open)."
Gibson hopes to break into the top 100 of the WTA rankings this year, and there could be somewhat of a rush of Aussies making that charge, including Priscilla Hon, Emerson Jones and Taylah Preston, who all sit on the cusp.
"The main goal for me is to get inside the top 100, but also just keep developing my game as much as possible. That's the one thing that's going to get me there. Those are the main focuses at the moment," Gibson said.
For Hunter, her run to the second round of the Australian Open was further than she personally expected to make it in her comeback from a torn Achilles.
The veteran made it through qualifying and the first round and will now set her sights on the doubles.
Both Hunter and Gibson take home $225,000 in prize money for making the second round.
