Jelena Dokic serves in her first round match against Jarmila Gajdosova. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) Source: Robert Prezioso / Getty Images
AFTER two long years on the sidelines, Jelena Dokic was looking hard for the positives following her loss to Jarmila Gajdosova in the Australian Open wildcard playoff.
Having finally recovered from surgery to fix a chronic wrist injury, the former world No.4 could hardly have drawn a tougher first-up opponent.
The hard-hitting Gajdosova has also been unable to play much in 2013 after contracting the viral infection mononucleosis, although she is significantly further down the comeback trail than the 30-year-old Dokic.
And it showed as Gajdosova won 6-2 6-4.
"I thought I would be a lot more nervous,'' said Dokic, who looked well short of full fitness and wore tracksuit pants throughout the first-round encounter.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 10: Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia plays a forehand in her first round match against Jelena Dokic of Australia in the Australian Open 2014 Qualifying at Melbourne Park on December 10, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
"I knew today, whether it was a win or a loss, I was happy to get the first one out of the way.
"It's the worst one.
"Nearly two years out is a very long time, even for a top-five player.''
Now without an official ranking, Dokic will continue to work hard on the practice court and take any wildcards on offer this summer, while also doing some television commentary work.
Gajdosova, who was ranked as high as No.25 in the world two years ago, settled quickly after a nerve-wracking start.
"It was nowhere near where I want to be and how it's supposed to be,'' she said.
"But you've got to start somewhere and so I did.
Casey Dellacqua breezed past Maddison Inglis and into the second round. Source: News Limited
"With Jelena, we know each other really well - we've both struggled very much throughout the year.
``She's trying to make a comeback, I'm trying to make a comeback and it's unknown what is going to happen.
"My illness was shorter than her (injury). She has definitely had a tougher time than I have.''
Top seed Casey Dellacqua cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-1 win over youngster Maddison Inglis.
In the men's event, Brisbane teenager Akira Santillan overcame an early bout of nerves to secure an upset victory over No.2 seed Matt Reid.
Having never played a five-setter before, the 16-year-old Santillan fought back from a mid-match blip to win 6-2 6-2 4-6 4-6 6-3.
His second-round opponent will be Wimbledon and Australian Open junior champion Luke Saville, who also needed five sets before overcoming Bradley Mousley 6-4 7-6 (7-2) 2-6 2-6 7-5.
Last year's playoff winner Ben Mitchell cruised past Harry Bourchier 6-4 6-1 6-0, while top seed John-Patrick Smith beat Marc Polmans 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Both overall playoff winners earn wildcards into the main draw of next month's Australian Open.
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