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Pat Rafter hails Australians' "potential"

Retired Australian tennis player Pat Rafter believes that some of the country's young players have shown "potential" at this year's Australian Open.

Pat Rafter has praised the "potential" of the young Australian players who starred on the opening day of this year's Australian Open.

Seven of the 13 players competing in their home tournament made it through to round two on Monday, including Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The two-time US Open champion, who is now the director of performance for Tennis Australia, said: "I think it was really good day for Australian tennis, [but] we can't get ahead of ourselves either.

"We have got good numbers coming back into it. [I] just want to keep it all in perspective too and just keep all the guys down to earth and grounded.

"It's only the second round. A lot of those guys have great potential to go on. With the girls as well. I think there is good potential there."

No Australian has won a singles title at their home event since Chris O'Neil won the women's event in 1978.

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