A tearful Sofia Kenin admitted the pressure of defending a Grand Slam title for the first time had proved too great after she tumbled out of the Australian Open in the second round on Thursday.

The 22-year-old American succumbed 6-3, 6-2 to Estonian veteran Kaia Kanepi on Margaret Court Arena.

Kenin struggled to hold back tears as she explained what had happened out on court at her post-match media conference

“I had chances. I just couldn’t take it… the nerves big-time got to me.”

The tears returned again when she was asked about the pressure of defending the title, adding that she knew retaining the trophy would be a tall order given her mental state.

Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina defeated American teenager Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3.

Former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova excelled in crucial moments to defeat Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-2.

World No. 1 Ash Barty suffered a meltdown on the brink of victory but was able to fend off compatriot Daria Gavrilova 6-1, 7-6 (9-7). Barty came onto centre court with her left thigh heavily strapped.

Rafael Nadal dispelled any remaining doubts over his fitness with a commanding 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win against American qualifier Michael Mmoh to stay on track for a record 21st Grand Slam title.

He showed no sign of discomfort against the 177th-ranked American and peppered the blue court with winners from both forehand and backhand sides.

Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso had to be separated by the court supervisor after the first all-Italian Australian Open men’s singles match of the Open era ended in uproar. The compatriots had battled it out over nearly four hours in the John Cain Arena before 16th seed Fognini emerged a 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (14-12) winner.

A Greek tragedy threatened to befall Stefanos Tsitsipas before the fifth seed steadied to fend off local wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 and reach the third round.

Indian challenge ends

India’s Divij Sharan and Ankita Raina crashed out of the men’s and women’s doubles events respectively, after suffering straight set defeats in the opening round.

Ankita and her partner Mihaela Buzarnecu of Romania lost 3-6, 0-6 to Australian wild card pair of Olivia Gadecki and Belinda Woolcock.

In the men’s doubles, Divij and his Slovakian partner Igor Zelenay lost 1-6, 4-6 against the German combination of Yannick Hanfmann Kevin Krawietz.