Fresh from trading forehands with Roger Federer, young Australian Sophie Ferguson saved three match points, not to mention bruised Australian pride, before recording her first-ever WTA victory at the Australian Open.

The 18-year-old protege of Tony Roche was the saving grace of an otherwise dismal day for the locals by downing Nuria Llagostera-Vives of Spain 2-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

Evening match losses for Samantha Stosur and Paul Baccanello meant the local tally on day one was one winner and six losers.

After Federer also hired Roche in the hope of taking his already peerless game to a new level, Ferguson was asked to hit up with the Swiss world No.1 in Sydney over the Christmas break.

"That was a fantastic experience for me, he's an amazing player and it was awesome," said the Sydneysider.

"Tony Roche has been an unbelievable support for me, both on and off the court.

"He gives me great help, he puts in a lot of hours and I'm very lucky to have a coach like that."

After a disappointing first set, Ferguson made a pledge not to go down without a fight.

She saved two match points at 4-5 in the second set and a third in the tiebreak.

"I was thinking I've got to play my game and be aggressive," she said.

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