Great Britain's Laura Robson crashed out in the first round of her final tournament before the Australian Open, losing 6-4 7-6 (7/4) to eighth seed Sloane Stephens of the United States in the Moorilla Hobart International.
A single break in the first game of the match was enough for Stephens to win the first set, and she led with a break at 3-1 in the second.
Robson, who at 53 is ranked 15 places beneath her opponent, fought back to take the set into a tie-break, but Stephens prevailed.
British number one Heather Watson withdrew from the tournament because of injury.