The match against Kaylah McPhee was due to be played on Thursday, but the rain-soaked courts of Melbourne Park meant play was suspended. Hives won her first round in straight sets against Naiktha Bains, 6-4, 6-3. If Hives can win through to the next round, a meeting with number one seed Arina Rodionova looks likely.

The experienced Rodionova has played in all four grand slams a number of times, making it to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 2016.

While she currently ranked 161, she has been as high as 116 in the world and at 28 years of age, has plenty of knowledge of the Melbourne Park hard courts.

Hives is set to take the court mid-morning on Friday, as she continues her bid for a spot in the main draw of the Australian Open women’s singles.

In the doubles playoff, Hives and partner Alison Bai were knocked out by number one seeds Destanee Aiava and Bains.

Hives and Bai claimed the first set, before Aiava and Bains comfortably levelled the match. The pair then went on to win the super tiebreak, 10 points to four.

In the men’s singles draw, regular top-liners Alex Bolt, James Duckworth and Luke Saville are in the final four, alongside Maverick Banes.