Wayward Daria Saville knocked out in first round at Australian Open

Daria Saville has set a lofty goal in her comeback from an ACL injury after she was beaten in the first round at Melbourne Park.

Australian wildcard Daria Saville has been knocked out in the first round of the Australian Open. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

Daria Saville has set her sights on returning to the world top 20 after what she called a “pretty good Aussie summer” despite her first-round exit from Melbourne Park.

The Australian wildcard was plagued by issues with her ball toss and first serve as she lost a marathon three-set clash to Polish world No. 69 Magdalena Frech on Monday.

Saville hit 14 double faults and walked off John Cain Arena shaking her head after the hot-and-cold performance, but said while she was frustrated she was pleased to see glimpses of her best.

After reaching No. 20 in the world at her peak in 2017, Saville said she wanted to return to those heights once again after impressive form since returning from an ACL injury midway through last year.

“I think I’m close (to my best). There are glimpses of me being there already,” she said after the 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 5-7 loss to Frech.

“The fact that I can play a three-hour match … it’s all promising.

“Yes, (I want to reach) at least top 50 – first there’s a few milestones like top 100, then top 50, then top 20.”

Daria Saville was thwarted by poor serving as she made a first-round exit from the Australian Open on Monday. Picture: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images

Saville earnt a wildcard at Melbourne Park after reeling in her world ranking from No. 322 to 209 following nine months due to the knee injury she suffered while playing in the Japan Open against Naomi Osaka in September 2022.

It came as fellow experienced Australian, the higher-ranked Arina Rodionova, was overlooked for a berth in the main draw.

Rodionova hit out at Tennis Australia over the decision, which she said had affected Saville as well because of how close to the tournament it had been announced.

But Saville shot down any notion Rodionova’s outburst or the delayed call had made an impact on her performance at Melbourne Park, pointing to her form in the Hobart International last week.

The Russian-born veteran beat three top-50 opponents on her way to the semi-finals as her world ranking soared to No. 152.

“I did quite well in Hobart, so I guess it didn’t really affect me,” Saville said.

Arina Rodionova (pictured) said a lack of clarity on who would receive the final women’s wildcard spot from Tennis Australia had also affected Daria Saville’s preparation for the grand slam. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP

“I didn’t play as well as I was playing in Hobart or Brisbane, but I am in a way better position this time than I was last year, when I was just a few months post my ACL, doing a bit of recovery in the gym while everyone was getting ready for their matches.

“I’ve still had a pretty good Aussie summer, and I look forward to some doubles with Ajla (Tomljanovic).”

Saville said she had three more opportunities to use her protected ranking to enter tournaments, and would save those for the “American swing” of the tour through Indian Wells and Miami in March.

Frech will play either Naomi Osaka or 16th seed Caroline Garcia in the second round after beating Saville, who only managed to land 56 per cent of her first serves during the clash.

Saville threw her racquet at the ground after three consecutive double faults during one of her service games, which gave Frech an important break early in the second set.