Early casualty CoCo was floored by flu

Last year's semifinalist CoCo Vandeweghe revealed on Monday she had been confined to bed for four days with flu after being sent packing from the Australian Open in the first round.

The American, who also made the last four at the US Open in 2017, was knocked out by Hungary's Timea Babos 7-6 (4), 6-2 on a horror day for three of America's star women.

Joining her on the sidelines were seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who lost to Belinda Bencic, and US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who was defeated by Zhang Shuai of China.

Vandeweghe told reporters it had been touch and go whether she would even make it to Melbourne Park for her match.

"I've had the flu since about Sunday," she said, almost losing her voice as she struggled to speak.

"(Today) was the first time I've been up in like four days," she added. "I did the best that I could. That's all I can ask for. She played really well."