Hon learning to belong after French exit

Priscilla Hon is finally believing her own hype after taking powerful grand slam contender Madison Keys the distance in Paris.

The Australian wildcard fell 7-5 5-7 6-3 to the 14th seed in the French Open second round, with the third set resuming on Friday after Hon had forced a decider in fading light and rain on Thursday.

Keys made the final four at Roland Garros last year and boasts a US Open final, Australian Open quarter and semi-final and Wimbledon quarter-final appearance since 2015.

Hon admitted she was surprised at her ability to match the big-hitting American from the baseline though, saying "she was expecting it to be harder than it was".

Keys still did enough to progress, sweating on Hon's second serve on Friday morning as the Australian was left to ponder what might've been.

"I think the light cost me a little bit and today I had a few chances," the 21-year-old said.

"It gives me a bit more belief in my game. Just to go into a third with her really helps me to believe that I can play decent tennis."

Hon admitted that belief had been a major sticking point in her development, but that she was slowly gaining some swagger on tour.

"Sometimes I think too much of the other player instead of what I should be doing," she said.

"Even a year ago when I would play I would be too nervous and think everyone's too good for me.

"Mentally I've changed bit and want to be winning these matches and even though she was the 14th seed, going into the match I wanted to win and knew I had a chance to."

Highly regarded Australian player-turned coach Darren Cahill would be happy to hear that, after tweeting "she looks better every time I watch her play" and that there was "a lot to look forward to".

"I just saw that before, that made me quite happy," Hon said of Cahill's surprise praise.

"I was pretty down; I sat there for like 45 minutes and then saw his tweet and that definitely brightened up my day a little."