Dan Evans was denied a blockbuster clash with world No 2 Novak Djokovic as he exited the Australian Open this morning. The British No 1 fought back from two sets down to beat American Mackenzie McDonald in his opening clash on Monday.
But the 29-year-old could not keep up the momentum as he lost to Nishioka in straight sets on court 19.
Evans could have set up a mouthwatering third-round clash with Djokovic but instead he left British hopes in the hands of Heater Watson and Harriet Dart.
Watson had to complete her first-round match against Kristyna Pliskova this morning after rain caused a huge backlog of fixtures earlier in the week.
The 27-year-old got off to a slow start losing the first set 6-4. However, the world No 75 bounced back and dropped just four games over the final two sets to book her place in the next round.
Dart also had to come from behind to win her opening tie against Japan’s Misaki Doi yesterday and she faces Wimbledon champion Simona Halep in round two.
The remaining British pair return to action on Thursday, where Watson takes on No 16 seed Elise Mertens.
On Tuesday Kyle Edmund fell to 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 loss against Dusan Lajovic and Cameron Norrie followed suit as he missed out in a five-set thriller against doubles expert Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
British women’s No 1 Konta fell at the first hurdle against world No 78 Ons Jabeur, albeit in what was only her second match since September as she continues her recovery from a knee injury.
Katie Boulter was also knocked out in a spirited 6-4, 7-5 loss against No 5 seed Elina Svitolina.
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