Konta had never faced Pera, with the American making her Grand Slam main draw debut as a lucky loser after replacing the injured Margarita Gasparyan.
After previously reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2016, big things were expected of the Sydney-born Briton.
But she collapsed to a straight sets defeat against Pera – 4-6, 5-7 in an hour and a quarter.
As on court temperatures soared in Melbourne, Konta wilted in the heat.
She was tentative in the first set and while she tightened up early on, Pera was fearless.
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Pera was free flowing and was potent on her backhand.
Although Konta saved three match points, the number nine seed was unable to stave off the inevitable for too long.
Pera served for the match 6-5 up in the second set and she was calmness personified.
Although Konta saved an additional point, she was left packing when she miscued with an overhead smash.
After her win, she said: “I was ready to leave on Monday.
“When I got in I was so excited and to win two rounds is amazing.”