Bernard Tomic has tumbled out of Australian Open contention in a brutal straight-sets thrashing. The 32-year-old went down to world No. 124 Jozef Kovalik in the opening round of qualifying in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Bernard Tomic's absence from the Australia Open main draw will stretch on for another year after the controversial star suffered a straight-sets loss to Jozef Kovalik in his opening qualifying game.

Crestfallen Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic has bombed out of the first round of the Australian Open qualifying tournament against world No.128 Jozef Kovalik. The former world No.17 was beaten 6-3, 6-1 in exactly 60 minutes at Kia Arena on Tuesday.

Bernard suffered a 6-3, 6-1 loss to the 21st seed Jozef Kovalik in the first qualifying round, ending his campaign in an hour. The Slovak served at 71% and dropped 11 points in his games, facing no break points and mounting the pressure on the other side.

Bernard Tomic’s hopes of a first Australian Open appearance in three years have been dashed after he was swept out of the first round of qualifying in straight sets.

Cruz Hewitt, the son of former world No. 1 Lleyton, came up short in his bid to reach the Australian Open main draw when he was beaten 6-1, 6-4 by Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of qualifying Tuesday.

Hopes are high that the small Australian women’s contingent in the main draw at Melbourne Park will expand as five more players won through to the second round of qualifying on Tuesday.