Australian wild card entry Olivia Rogowska hopes to hit the WTA tour this year after blowing her opportunity to move to the third round in the Australian Open.
The 26-year-old from Melbourne lost in straight sets to precocious 15-year-old Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk after losing her first two service games to love in a nervous start before eventually losing 6-3, 7-5.
Rogowska said she just didn't find her rhythm at all despite being in such good form on the practice court and coming off a first round win over Australian Jaimee Fourlis.
"[It was] just nerves today, no footwork. I knew what I had to do. I just couldn't really execute it today," Rogowska said.
She hit the ball out many times, making unforced errors when points were set up to be won and could not put any pressure on her opponent, who hit with the freedom of youth.
Rogowska's face revealed her disappointment as she conceded that at times during the game she was overwhelmed.
But it has not taken away her determination to learn from the experience.
"I'm going to try and hit the WTA Tour as much as I can [through] qualifying, and sit down and look at the schedule [and] try and expose myself to that level," Rogowska said.
"I just need to get that in matches as much as I can, shrug off this disappointment and come back firing."
Her loss leaves Ashleigh Barty and Daria Gavrilova as the only two Australian women remaining in the Australian Open.
