Big gun Ashleigh Barty is the last local remaining in the Australian Open women's draw after Daria Gavrilova and wildcard Olivia Rogowska crashed out.
Gavrilova blew a 5-0 first set lead to fall to Belgian Elise Mertens, with her match finishing just before 2am.
She followed Rogowska out the door with the world No.168 burning a chance to break her second-round Melbourne Park jinx, falling to 15-year-old Ukrainian qualifier Marta Kostyuk 6-3 7-5.
It was Rogowska's third opportunity to break into the last 32 at her home grand slam after second-round exits in 2012 and 2014.
The 26-year-old Melbourne native admitted to battling nerves as the clear favourite on paper.
"Definitely wasn't a good day at the office," a visibly emotional Rogowska said, dubbing the defeat against the grand slam newbie one of the most disappointing of her career.
"I struggled today to find any rhythm, to settle down. I think my serve percentage was pretty low today.
"But credit to her. I knew what I had to do, just couldn't really execute it."
Her opponent, who joined elite company as the youngest player to reach the third round at the Open since Swiss prodigy Martina Hingis' quarter-finals run in 1996, blasted 22 winners to Rogowska's 13 on her way to winning in one hour and 29 minutes.
But the home-schooled Ukrainian was far from flawless with 11 double faults and 45 unforced errors.
Ranked No.521 in the world, Kostyuk - with career earnings listed at $8,458 - is set for the biggest pay day of her fledgling career with a minimum third-round Open cheque of $142,500 coming her way.
The teenager will meet fourth seed Elina Svitolina in an all-Ukrainian third-round match for a chance to make the last 16 of a major at her maiden grand slam.
Share
