Paula Badosa has started her preparation for the Australian Open in a regrettable way after being bundled out of the Adelaide International in the first round.
The former world No.2, who is now ranked 26th, came up against 45th-ranked Marie Bouzková from the Czech Republic and squandered an early lead to lose 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Badosa’s frustration was summed up when she gifted her rival three match points during a seven-shot rally.
Watch every match from the Adelaide International, and Australian Open qualifying live and free on 9Now.
The 28-year-old Spaniard came to the net and looked like she could find the winning point with Bouzková deep in the court however her shot when straight into the net.
Badosa then threw her racquet into the court in frustration.
Paula Badosa throws her racquet. Nine
At one stage the match looked like it’d be Badosa’s easily, having led 3-0 during the third set but Bouzková fought back valiantly.
The double fault statistics were telling as Badosa finished with eight while Bouzková only had one.
READ MORE: ‘Nothing crazy’: World No.2 downplays Aus Open concerns
READ MORE: England legend delivers ‘controversial’ post-Ashes verdict
READ MORE: ‘Right decision’: Aus Open boss backs Kyrgios withdrawal
The Czech 27-year-old previously lost to Badosa in the Brisbane International earlier this month, making it her first win against the Spaniard.
“Obviously I feel pretty great right now, I’m so happy I could get over this match, we’ve played each other so many times, it’s always a big battle so I’m really happy I could win this time in three sets and come back in the third,” Bouzková said on Nine’s coverage.
“I just tried to enjoy it, tried to grind and play deep balls and if I had the chance, tried to attack and I think I did that really well.”
Bouzková managed to get to the first round via a lucky loser chance, having lost to Yulia Putintseva in straight sets during the qualifiers.
“It’s obviously never easy having lost just yesterday but I thought ‘OK, I can’t lose two matches and win only one in this tournament’ but it was a tough match and yesterday gave me a kick start to do better today,” she said.