Having decided to focus on singles ahead of a better progressed doubles career, they were the swankiest accommodation he could afford as he worked hard to get his ranking up from around 600.

By the end of the year he had graduated - to the Shangri-La in Hong Kong after three straight wins on the futures tour, and to No. 190 - but on Tuesday life got much, much better than that.

The 23-year-old from Williamstown was Australia's first winner on day two of the Australian Open, his four-set win over Czech Adam Pavlasek (6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2) taking him through to the second round.

"I'm pretty tired at the moment, but it's an amazing feeling," said Whittington, who moved through a day after Bernard Tomic, Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur made it to round two.

"It's good to have a lot of Aussies in the draw. A couple of them are my best mates as well, we're pushing each other which is good and getting the job done as well which is even better.

"It's a great feeling for everyone. Hopefully, as I said, we'll just keep pushing each other."

Sydneysider Jordan Thompson joined Whittington in the second round later in the day, breaking through for a maiden Australian Open win, defeating Joao Sousa in a gutsy five-set triumph.

Thompson was down two sets to love against the world No.37 but triumphed 6-7 (2-7) 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-1 in three hours and 21 minutes in hot conditions as the Portuguese complained of dizziness.

The win was the 22-year-old's first in four outings at Melbourne Park and earns him a match-up with eighth seed Dominic Thiem.

Of the other Australian men playing on day two, Blake Mott was beaten in straight sets by No. 18 seed Richard Gasquet (6-4, 6-4, 6-2), Alex Bolt lost to Yoshihito Nishioka in four sets and Omar Jasika was on court for less than 90 minutes, losing to No. 21 seed David Ferrer in straight sets, 3-6, 0-6, 2-6.

Whittington was on court for almost two-and-a-half hours against Pavlasek, and was the more assured player in the most important moments.

The wildcard hit just one more winner than his opponent, but was able to win six of the nine break points he set up, and save five of the seven he faced.

After dropping the second set against Pavlasek - ranked almost 100 places ahead of him - he backed both his fitness and recovery from a recently injured ankle to get him through.

"Of course there was a little fear. I can't thank enough my physio, coach, my team, really, for getting it right," he said of his ankle.

"When I did go over it, it was a bit of a moment when I stood on it, was it going to be okay."Luckily enough, I kind of rolled on it, as well, so I saved it. Lucky enough to get the win today, as well.

"I think the next day when I woke up, that was probably the biggest par, waking up and see how it pulled up.

There was no swelling, which was the best part about it. By the weekend, I was back on court hitting.

"I got it strapped, I'm icing it. It's 100 per cent now."