The decibel readings were not needed for Victoria Azarenka yesterday as the groans from the crowd at the Brisbane International almost drowned out her trademark shrieks.

Still struggling to get back to her best, the former world number one was beaten 4-6 7-6 6-4 in the first round by Czech Karolina Pliskova.

The crowd, aware of the injuries the Belarussian has endured over the past year, urged her on but their vocal backing was not enough.

Azarenka was the architect of her own defeat.

She failed to convert two match points in the second set and made nine double faults and 44 unforced errors.

At 25, time is still on Azarenka’s side and there were enough positive signs to show she can get back towards the top but the road to a full recovery looks likely to be a slow one.

A year ago, Azarenka arrived Down Under hoping to defend the Australian Open title she won in 2012 and 2013 but bowed out in the quarter-finals.

She suffered a foot injury that saw her miss most of the first six months of the year and then had a knee problem.

Azarenka finally abandoned the season in September after playing just 24 matches all year and not winning a title.