The final-set tiebreak escalated into a tug of war.
Johanna Konta made one final charge to pull through a thriller.
TN Q & A: Johanna Konta
Down 4-6 in the final-set tiebreak, Konta reeled off six of the final seven points squeezing out a dramatic 7-6 (4), 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) victory over Australian No. 3 Ajla Tomljanovic to reach the Australian Open second round.
The 2016 semifinalist served 68 percent and pounded 16 aces to avenge her straight-sets loss to the 25-year-old Aussie in Brisbane earlier this month.
It's the second straight day a British player prevailed in a tight final-set tie break.
On opening day, compatriot Katie Boulter made history in Melbourne as the 22-year-old became the first player to win a singles super tiebreak at the Grand Slam level.
The Australian Open debuted the final-set super tiebreak this week.
Tomljanovic, long-time girlfriend of Nick Kyrgios, raced out to a 3-0 lead and earned four break points for a potential double break and a 4-0 lead.
A stubborn Konta denied all four break points to hold then broke back to put the set back on serve.
Crunching a crosscourt backhand, Konta gained set point in the breaker and immediately closed.
Digging in, Tomljanovic fought off three break points in her opening two service games of the second set. Tomljanovic broke for 4-2, reeling off the final three games to force the decider.
The Sydney-born Konta was often the aggressor on pivotal points.
Despite converting just one of nine break points, Konta nearly doubled Tomljanovic's winner output (47 to 25).
The former world No. 4 failed to surpass the second round of any Slam last season.
The 27-year-old Briton is through to the Australian Open second round for the fourth consecutive year and will face two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza in a blockbuster clash.
The 18th-seeded Spaniard stopped Saisai Zheng, 6-2, 6-3, in her opener. Konta has won both prior Tour-level meetings with Muguruza, including a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 6-2, triumph at the 2015 US Open in their last meeting.
"Anybody can play at the highest level on any given day," Konta said. "And for someone to win two Grand Slam titles, I think she's still ranked Top 20. She's a heck of a player. So I don't think going on court against anyone you underestimate them, especially not someone like her. No, I don't think she's vulnerable, I think she's doing very well. I'm looking foward to playing her."
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