Number nine seed Samantha Stosur has failed to get past the first round of the Madrid Open by succumbing to a 7-6[7] 6-2 defeat at the hands of Carla Suarez Navarro.

The Australian was placed on the backfoot in the early stages of the match by losing her opening service game, but she was able to fight back with some swift returns and quick feet on the court to break back.

Despite her comeback, Suarez Navarro's form never wavered and a tie-break, which the Spaniard edged 9-7, was needed to decide the opening set.

Stosur looked in control in the early exchanges of the second set but a break point from Suarez Navarro proved damaging as the Spaniard pushed on to dominate.

Despite trying to force through a vital break of serve, Stosur was knocked out of the competition at the first hurdle.