Gavrilova in first-round Open cakewalk

Australian No.2 Daria Gavrilova is through to the second round of the Australian Open with a stunning win over Irina Falconi.

Daria Gavrilova of Australia in action against Irina Falconi.

Home hope Daria Gavrilova has blasted her way into the Australian Open second round. (AAP)

Daria Gavrilova has produced a performance worthy of the Australian Open's biggest stage, downing Irina Falconi to advance to the second round.

Under the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena, Australia's No.2 women's player turned it on against the American qualifier, winning 6-1 6-1 in 63 minutes on Monday night.

Gavrilova lost her opening serve then put together nine straight games to take a stranglehold on the match.

Her biggest issue didn't seem to be her opponent, but her own supporters.

As she headed towards success in the second set, she repeatedly motioned towards her own box, questioning where family and friends had gone.

As it happened, her father and housemate were answering the call of nature.

"I wasn't too happy with some of them leaving ... but that's OK. They needed to go," she said.

"It distracted me. I just think of the worst things that could happen. I was like 'is someone sick?' Did someone have to get out of the stadium because of something? I just create really weird stories in my head."

Toilet breaks aside, Gavrilova said she was satisfied with her night's work.

"I'm really happy with the way I played today," she said.

"First rounds are always nerve-racking.

"I think I was pretty aggressive and just played really free.

"All I thought about was competing and I did that well."

Gavrilova's success was built on her return of serve.

She didn't allow Falconi a single service hold, tallying a mammoth 13 break points in seven games.

She recorded 23 winners to five in a dominant display over the qualifier.

Gavrilova's reward is a clash with Belgian world No.36 Elise Mertens on Wednesday, to whom she lost a tight three-set match at the Hopman Cup.

The world No.23 said she wouldn't look further than that.

"I'm not putting expectations on myself and no one in my team does," she said.

"All I do is go out and fight every point."


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Source: AAP


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