British number one Johanna Konta has suffered a shock straight-sets defeat to Bernarda Pera at the second-round stage of the Australian Open.
Konta, who passed her first test in Melbourne with flying colours earlier this week, went down 6-4 7-5 to the world number 123 on Thursday morning.
Aiming to maintain her record of reaching at least the last eight on her last two participations in this competition, the ninth seed suffered the only loss of serve of the opening set in the ninth game.
After taking a surprise lead, Pera - previously with just one win at Grand Slam level - battled back in the second set to open up a 5-4 advantage.
Konta was on the ropes but managed to save four match points, only for her American opponent to get over the line in the 12th game for the biggest win of her career.
Barbora Strycova, who beat Lara Arruabarrena earlier today, awaits Pera for a place in round four.
Daniel Lewis
