Petra Kvitova has failed to get past the first round of the Australian Open after world number 88 Luksika Kumkhum secured a 6-2 1-6 6-4 victory in Melbourne.
Kvitova struggled to find her rhythm in the opening set by failing to create any opportunity for a break point, while Kumkhum was able to break her opponent twice to take a stronghold.
Despite scoring two aces, three double faults contributed to Kvitova's downfall as she went one set down in the Margaret Court Arena.
Kvitova upped her game in the second set by holding her serve strongly and grabbing three break points to draw level and force the encounter into a third and deciding set.
Despite her comeback, Kvitova was unable to keep up the momentum and relinquished control to lose the third set and her place in the first Major of the season.
Danielle Joynson
