Australian Paralympic veteran Daniela Di Toro has been "schooled" in her debut para-table tennis match in Rio.
The six-time Paralympian went down 3-0 to world No.4 Nada Matic of Serbia, and concedes it was a tough introduction to the sport.
"Way to get schooled," she said.
"It's wonderful to be in the presence of the best in the world. For me this is just about learning as much as I can."
The Aussie co-captain had competed in wheelchair tennis at every Games since Atlanta in 1996, but made the switch a year ago due to injury.
Di Toro admits she's still trying to figure out her style of play, and looks forward to facing world No.5 Sandra Mikolaschek of Germany in her second pool match on Friday.
Victorian Melissa Tapper had more luck, defeating Turkey's Etris Umran 3-1 and becoming the first Australian to compete in both an Olympics and Paralympics in the same year in the process.
"We're off to a good start," she said.
However, Tapper next faces Poland's star Natalia Partyka, who also competed at the Rio Olympics, as well as the London and Beijing Olympics.
The three-time Paralympic gold medallist has not lost a para-table tennis match since 2008.
"That's definitely going to be a very tough match. I'm definitely the underdog, but that's better," she said.
Later on Thursday, Sydney schoolgirl Tiffany Thomas Kane will chase gold in the women's 100m backstroke S6 final, one of nine events she'll contest at the Games.
And in para-cycling, Australia's reigning Paralympic champion Sue Powell will defend her crown in the C4 3km individual pursuit after breaking a Paralympic record in the qualifying round.
World record-holding long jumper Carlee Beattie will go for her first gold medal, while five-time Paralympian Angela Ballard will take to the track in the women's 100m T53 final.
And the men's wheelchair basketball team start their Rio campaign against the Netherlands.
