SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Samantha Stosur of Australia plays a backhand shot in her first round match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during day two of the 2017 Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 9, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Sam Stosur has had the worst possible start to her preparations for the Australian Open, suffering a comprehensive, straight sets loss to No.27 ranked Russian, Anastasia Puvlyuchenkova at the Sydney International.

Stosur was knocked out in the opening round 6-3, 6-1 in little over an hour.

The defeat follows a first round loss to Spaniard Garbine Muguruza at the Brisbane International last week.

Stosur, the world No.21, has a week to prepare for her 15th Australian Open singles campaign, which kicks off next Monday.