Australian Open – Frustration for Francesca Jones after grand slam debut defeat to Shelby Rogers

The 20-year-old started well and was only broken at the end of the first set, before her big-hitting opponent – twice a grand slam quarter-finalist – took control in the second set, eventually running out a 6-4 6-1 after just over an hour on court.

It was a performance full of promise and an experience which will only serve her well as she looks to secure appearances at other grand slam events later this year.

Afterwards, Jones questioned the new electronic line-judge system. The Australian Open is the first grand slam to be played without any line-judges on the court in an effort to reduce the number of officials in line with coronavirus protocols.

Jones described one particular point early in the second set, when an apparently long Rogers forehand was called in, as “extremely questionable”, and added: “Massive, massive momentum change at that point. They really need to check that system. I have seen a couple of mistakes that have been shown.

“I much prefer human error than systematic error. It’s a new system and I understand why it’s being used, but I think that definitely needs to be revised.”

There was also disappointment for Johanna Konta, who was forced to retire midway through her first round match against Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan due to injury.

The British No 1 won the first set 6-4 but was forced to concede the match after falling 2-0 behind in the second.

Konta appeared to sustain or exacerbate the injury when she stretched for a smash towards the end of the opening set, and required an on-court medical time-out.

The 13th seed then left the court for treatment at the end of the set, and swiftly decided not to continue after losing her opening service game of the second set to love.

Earlier in the day, Heather Watson used the extra mental strength she gained in two weeks of hard quarantine to battle past Kristyna Pliskova and into the second round.

The British No 2 was one of 72 players who had to stay in their hotel rooms throughout the fortnight after sharing a plane with someone who later tested positive for coronavirus.

Watson described it as the worst preparation she has ever had for a grand slam tournament but she was impressively sharp in a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3) victory over Czech Pliskova, who she also beat at the same stage last year.

“It made the victory today sweeter because we’d been through a lot the last few weeks,” said Watson.

“It was really tough mentally I would say the most. Physically I felt like I did a pretty good job in hard quarantine of working out pretty much every day and trying to keep up my fitness with what I could do. I think today I could see it on my coach’s face as well, he was extra proud.

“I’m really pleased with how I played the tie-breaks. I thought I stepped up my game when I needed to and played some of my best tennis in the big moments.”

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