Wang Xiyu of China hits a return to Emma Navarro of the United States during the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan 16, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MELBOURNE - A leg injury and unforced errors proved costly for China's Wang Xiyu as she was knocked out of the Australian Open in the first round on Tuesday afternoon.

Wang, world number 60, lost 6-1, 6-7, 7-5 to American 27th seed Emma Navarro.

The Chinese player hit 14 more winners than her American opponent but 27 more unforced errors, including one on the final point of the match.

Wang Xiyu saw off three match points on her own serve at 4-5 and 5-6 but Emma Navarro converted her fourth opportunity to win the match when Wang hit a backhand into the net

Navarro, who was making her debut in the main draw at the Australian Open, converted 60 percent of her break point chances - double Wang's 30 percent conversion rate.

The American got off to a strong start by breaking Wang's serve three times in the 30-minute opening set.

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Wang bounced back in the second set and had an opportunity to level the match on her serve leading 5-3 but was again broken. She rallied to lead 6-5 before calling a medical timeout for treatment for a left leg injury.

Despite returning to court with a heavily-taped leg, Wang raced to a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak and closed out the second set.

Emma Navarro of the United States serves the ball to Wang Xiyu of China during the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan 16, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Trailing 5-3 in the decider with her movement, limited Wang managed to break Navarro's serve for the third time in the match.

Wang saw off three match points on her own serve at 4-5 and 5-6 but Navarro converted her fourth opportunity to win the match when Wang hit a backhand into the net.

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Navarro will play Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the second round.