Wildcard Casey Dell'Acqua became the only Australian to progress to the second round of the Hobart WTA Tour event as the American top seed bowed out.

Amy Frazier was knocked out of the $US110,000 ($A145,000) Moorilla International a year after she claimed the winner's cheque.

China's Na Li, ranked 73rd in the world, clawed her way to every point in the painfully close 7-5 7-5 match, which included five breaks of serve in the first set.

Speaking through coach Jiang Hong Wei, Na said she was excited about knocking out the top seed.

Na held match point at the China Open against reigning US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, but didn't reflect on that loss during tonight's match.

Jiang said his player took a "never give up" attitude to her more experienced opponent, which ultimately paid off.

Meanwhile, Dell'Acqua progressed to the second round with a superb straight sets win over Russian Alina Jidkova.

The 291-ranked West Australian held the racquet-throwing Russian at bay 4-0 in the first set before claiming a closer victory 7-5.

Jidkova closed in again in the second set 4-4 until Dell'Acqua outclassed the world No.55 to win 6-4.

The 19-year-old left-hander said her game plan of non-stop hustle had paid off.

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