BRITISH men's number one Kyle Edmund admitted having a "reality check" as he crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round.

The 24-year-old former Pocklington schoolboy reached the semi-finals last year but will not get the chance to repeat that memorable feat this time after a straight sets 6-3 6-0 7-5 defeat to Tomas Berdych - a result which is set to drop him out of the world's top 20.

Edmund, the 13th seed, showed evidence that he is still suffering from a knee problem and was never really in the match against the experienced Czech, who has a strong record in the tournament.

Edmund called the result a "reality check" and admitted: "It just shows where I am at the moment, my level and stuff, and how much and where I have to improve.

"I've still got lots of years to play so obviously I'm confident I'll be playing at a good standard again, but you're always itching and competitive to get things done immediately.

"You just have to have patience and give stuff time to get better, including my game. I've lost matches when I'm fully fit, so I have to work on lots of things to get back up there."

Former world number one Andy Murray also exited in round one - but not without a scrap.

The 31-year-old Scot announced on Friday that he was planning to retire this year, and maybe as soon as after this tournament, due to ongoing injury issues.

He showed his hip problem had not dulled his fighting qualities as he battled for four hours but he ultimately fell to a five-set loss against Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-2.

He said on court: “I’ve loved playing here over the years, it’s an amazing place to play tennis. If this was my last match, an amazing match to end.

“I gave everything I had. It wasn’t enough tonight so congratulations to Roberto. I don’t really have anything else to say but thanks to everyone, my team, my family, and everyone that’s contributed to my tennis career.

“Maybe I’ll see you again. I’ll do everything possible to try. If I want to go again, I’ll need to have a big operation, which there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to come back from, but I’ll give it my best shot.”

Elsewhere, there were wins in Melbourne for Brits Dan Evans and Katie Boulter.

Evans set up a potential second-round meeting with Roger Federer after winning his first main draw match at a grand slam in two years with a 7-5 6-1 7-6 (8) win over Tatsuma Ito of Japan.

The 28-year-old qualifier, who is still in the process of fighting back from a one-year drugs ban, is relishing the possibility of playing Federer, whom he also met in the third round of Wimbledon in 2016.

Evans said: "It's not very often you get to play Roger on a pretty big court, so I look forward to it.

"I feel pretty good. I'm getting there slowly by the day. I think I'm more mature, but I've obviously got to try and be smarter on the court - like when I get a chance, to take it straight away."

Boulter claimed one of the best victories of her career with a 6-0 4-6 7-6 (6) success over experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova.

It could have been embarrassing for Boulter who celebrated exuberantly after going 7-4 up in the tie-break - having forgotten the new rule which states final set tie-breaks are the first to 10.

The 22-year-old walked to the net only to realise her mistake but reacted impressively to wrap up victory after two hours and 24 minutes in oppressive Melbourne heat.

Harriet Dart was left in tears, though, after a 6-0 6-0 defeat to Maria Sharapova, while compatriot Heather Watson was the first player to exit the tournament after a 6-1 6-2 loss to 31st seed Petra Martic.

The 26-year-old has found herself stuck in the tennis doldrums and admitted she was so tense on court that she felt faint and dizzy and had to call the doctor.

Watson said: "I haven't been like myself on court lately. I've got to change something. I'm not going to continue like this."

Cameron Norrie, meanwhile, failed to build on reaching his first ATP Tour final last week as he was beaten in straight sets by Taylor Fritz.

Norrie went to Melbourne full of confidence after his run in Auckland, but crashed 6-4 7-6 (6) 6-2 to the world number 50.

Norrie missed his chance to draw level in a tight second set before falling away in the third as Fritz ultimately cruised into the second round.