Australian Open: Mixed results for Brits as Heather Watson progresses but Dan Evans falls

Watson became the third Brit through to the second round after a battling win over Kristyna Pliskova.

Windy conditions in Melbourne made life tricky for both players but it was tall Czech Pliskova, the identical twin sister of world number two Karolina, who ended up struggling the most.

That had a lot to do with Watson, who was unlucky to lose the first set but fought back brilliantly, sealing the second set with an ace before taking the match 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Watson will next face 16th seed Elise Mertens, who she beat on her way to the semi-finals of the Hobart International last week.

Watson said: "Being the first-round match and it being postponed, I felt a bit nervous on court in the first set and was a bit tense.

"But after that I managed to loosen up and relax and start enjoying it and I thought my game improved more and more as the match went on.

"I don't mind the wind at all. I like it and the way I play - slice, drop shots, and change of pace balls - I think it works well in the wind, and I'm patient."

Watson arrived in Melbourne in good form after reaching the semi-finals of the Hobart International and she should feel positive for her clash with 16th seed Elise Mertens on Thursday after beating her in Tasmania.

The British number two said: "She's a great player and tough competitor and very solid so it will be a tough match.

"I think coming in it will give me confidence for sure to know that I can beat her, especially if it gets close in those tight moments."

Dan Evans could not repeat Watson's success and was unable to book his place in the third round, losing 6-4 6-3 6-4 to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

Evans had fought back from two sets down to defeat Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round but admitted he did not feel good physically and he looked flat again against a higher-class opponent.

Evans' busy start to the season, particularly his heroics for Britain at the ATP Cup, appear to have caught up with him, and this was a disappointing way to end his first grand slam as a seed.

Nishioka, ranked 71, will now face Novak Djokovic.

Evans said: "I knew it would be difficult. In all honesty, I didn't want him to win against (Laslo) Djere.

"When it was windy like that I knew exactly how he would play and I couldn't break him. I didn't play great, but all credit to him, he played pretty good.

"Some days you look forward to matches and I didn't look forward to it. I just find him overly awkward. He made it literally as awkward as possible."

Evans insisted he had given the best he had despite his dislike of facing Nishioka, adding: "I still walk on the court thinking I can win the match.

"He just makes it difficult for me, I don't like playing him. You know how you feel in yourself as well, it's going to be a tough day, but put it on the court and I did that and it wasn't good enough."

Despite the disappointing end to his first grand slam tournament as a seed, Evans can reflect on an excellent start to the year, with a new career-high ranking of 32 thanks to his tremendous performances for Great Britain at the ATP Cup.

He said: "Obviously to start the year with such drama with my matches and then the doubles at ATP Cup, I can only look back and be happy.

"It was great to be there, part of that tournament, and then the grand slams are always good. I love coming to Melbourne. I've enjoyed it. It was a difficult day.

"But I've got to look back at a lot of points and good moves up the rankings."