Great Britain’s Dan Evans missed out on the Australian Open main draw for a second successive year as he fell in the first round of qualifying in Melbourne.

The 35-year-old struggled with his serve in a 6-1 6-2 defeat by Japan’s Rei Sakamoto.

Former British number one Evans recorded four double faults and did not create a single break point in a 66-minute defeat.

Evans’ sole Grand Slam appearance last year was at Wimbledon, where he was given a main draw wildcard.

Fellow Britons Jay Clarke and Jack Pinnington Jones also fell in straight sets in the first round of qualifying, while Oliver Crawford lost 6-3 2-6 6-3 to Spain’s Daniel Merida Aguilar.

Arthur Fery and George Loffhagen recorded more positive results, with Fery beating Australia’s Edward Winter 6-2 6-4 and Loffhagen overcoming Germany’s Justin Engel 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-2).

Players have to progress through three qualifying rounds to reach the main draw, which begins on Sunday, 18 January.