Heather Watson has suffered a three-set defeat to Timea Babos in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

The British number two had looked on course for a straight-sets victory but her Hungarian opponent played the big points well and fought out a 6-7 7-5 7-5 victory.

Watson took the opening set on a tie-break and created an opportunity for herself to serve out the contest at 5-4 in the second.

However, the 23-year-old was broken twice in a row as she conceded the set, and it was Babos who remained ahead throughout the decider, twice holding a break advantage.

Like Watson, Babos squandered a chance to serve out the match at 5-4, but in the 12th game, she broke Watson again to eliminate the Guernsey hitter.