Five Britons in action in Melbourne, five losses

The weekend had seen six players making it into the main draws of an overseas grand slam for the first time in 20 years.

But Robson, Heather Watson, James Ward, Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong all crashed out, not winning a set between them.

Seventeen-year-old Robson was hopelessly outclassed by experienced Serbian Jelena Jankovic, going down 6-2 6-0.

Robson said: “It just so happens that we (the Britons) played on the same day. Obviously everyone tried their best but Heather played Victoria Azarenka, who is in great form, so that was a tough draw, and Anne had a virus. I am not trying to make excuses but I don’t think it’s a disaster.”

Scot Baltacha, Britain’s leading female player as the world No 54 and ranked 53 places higher than Stephanie Foretz Gacon, lost 6-2 6-4 to the Frenchwoman.

Struggling to hold back the tears afterwards, Baltacha admitted she had underperformed.

“All the prep went really well but for whatever reason I just could not get into the match,” she said. “It is very frustrating, just one of those days.”

Keothavong at least had the excuse of a virus which led to her retirement against doubles partner Mona Barthel after losing the first set 6-0.

Nineteen-year-old Watson from Guernsey was crushed by third seeded Belarusian Azarenka, 6-1 6-0. The 19-year-old from Guernsey was perhaps expected to struggle against the Belarusian but the one-sided nature of the contest did little to enhance her reputation.

Watson said: “I played a few good points here and there but I wasn’t playing consistently enough. Vika played great and I can’t remember her missing a ball, that’s why she is No 3 in the world.”

Ward was ousted by Slovenian Blaz Kavcic, ranked 103rd in the world, 6-4 6-3 6-4.

The 24-year-old Londoner, who came through qualifying to play in the main draw of a slam for the first time outside Wimbledon, said: “It was difficult out there due to the wind but it was the same for both of us and there are no excuses, it was a tough day.”

Sole remaining Briton Andy Murray was due to play American Ryan Harrison in the early hours of this morning.