10 January 2017 | AAP

Australian teenager Destanee Aiava has made a promising start to her Kooyong Classic campaign despite an opening loss to Romanian Sorana Cirstea.

The 16-year-old, who last week became the first player born this century to win at WTA tour match, had a nervous start losing the first set 6-1.

But she showed her talent as she clawed her way back from 2-5 down to force a tiebreak before succumbing 6-1 7-6(4).