Heather Watson exit ends British hopes in women's draw

Daniela Hantuchova has beaten Heather Watson to ensure that Great Britain's 42-year wait for a female singles champion at the Australian Open will not end in 2014.

Following Laura Robson's defeat at the hands of Kirsten Flipkens earlier on Monday, the nation's hopes of a first winner since Virginia Wade in 1972 rested solely with world number 121 Watson.

Unfortunately, she was not up to the challenge, as 31st seed Hantuchova prevailed 7-5 3-6 6-3 in a competitive clash that lasted 154 minutes.

Watson, who won 14 fewer points than Hantuchova, produced 27 winners and 45 unforced errors in addition to three double faults.

Hantuchova, a semi-finalist in 2008, will meet Karolina Pliskova next. Czech Pliskova dropped just one game as she breezed past Pauline Parmentier in her first-round match.