Lucie Safarova saved an incredible nine match points on her way to a first-round win over Yanina Wickmayer at the Australian Open.

The Czech would eventually prevail 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 against Belgian Wickmayer on a hot day at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.

But not before a stunning second-set comeback.

Serving at 5-6, Safarova found herself in deep trouble at 0-40, only to recover and force a tie-break with a backhand winner after saving five match points.

Wickmayer then went 6-3 ahead in the tie-break, only to blow another four chances and lose the set with a double fault.

The final set was straightforward for the left-hander, a French Open finalist in 2015.

The record for most match points saved to win a grand slam singles match is 11, set by German Helga Schultze against Janine Lieffrig at Wimbledon in 1966.

Australian Nick Kyrgios saved nine match points more recently, to beat Richard Gasquet at the All England Club in 2014.