Tennis: Kiwi qualifier Monique Barry battles hard but falls short in opening round of ASB Classic

Highlights. Credits: Image - Getty Images, video - Sky Sports

Local Kiwi hope Monique Barry has been bundled out of the ASB Classic in the opening round on Monday.

In the tournament's opening contest on a blustery centre court, the NZ qualifier fell to highly favoured Russian opponent Elina Avanesyan in straight sets 7-6 6-2.

The contest began encouragingly for the Australian-based Barry, earning a break of serve in the first game of the match.

But errors began to creep in, as Avenesyan fought her way back into the battle to being the score to three games apiece.

Another break for Barry afforded her a golden chance to serve for the opening set. But she was unable to convert, with a hard-fought tiebreaker eventually going the way of the Russian 8-6.

The second set followed the back-and-forth nature of the first, until Avenesyan broke to take a 4-2 lead and never looked back.

Result aside, it was a heartening performance by the 21-year-old, who secured entry via playoff, clinching the wildcard spot reserved for a Kiwi player by organisers.

Ranked No. 74 in the world, the 21-year-old Avanesyan is regarded as one of the sport's rising young talents and sits 455 spots above Barry (No. 529).