Nanchang, Jiangxi, China, 3 August 2016 | tennis.com.au

Australian Storm Sanders on Monday fell in the opening round of the WTA tournament in Nanchang, China.

Sanders, who qualified for the main draw, fell to sixth seed Vania King 6-4 6-2.

It was nonetheless a solid campaign for the West Australian, who won two matches to successfully qualify for the main draw at a WTA event for the first time in her career.

And it continued her successful season; since the beginning of 2016 Sanders has risen approximately 100 places in the rankings and has won 24 matches.

In Atlanta, John-Patrick Smith fell in the opening round of the ATP event in Atlanta.

Smith, who like Sanders won two matches to qualify for the main draw, went down to Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-4 6-2.

His loss leaves No.2 seed Nick Kyrgios as the only Aussie remaining in the draw.