Another Grand Slam, another disappointing campaign for Asia in the singles. But with the emergence of a slew of youngsters, the future for tennis in the region continues to bode well.

Sixteen Asian women qualified for the Australian Open, but only five men, which tells its own story about where Asian tennis is at.

Of those 21, only one-Aiko Nakamura-reached the third round, where she was ousted by the experienced Patty Schnyder, seeded seven.

Expectations were not fulfilled but the fact that 16 women qualified is in itself encouraging, and those who made it will be buoyed by the experience they gained.

Many of Asia's women players are still learning, although some of the older heads were disappointed with their performances.

Japan's Ai Sugiyama, long a beacon for Asian women's tennis and seeded 26, had an ordinary Open, falling in the first round 6-4, 6-3 to Conchita Martinez Granados of Spain.

Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn was another first round casualty .

China's up-and-coming women failed to make it beyond the second round, but are still seen as a key to the future with Peng Shuai, Li Na, Zheng Jie, Meng Yuan, Sun Tiantian and Yan Zi remaining promising prospects.

There were great hopes for Sania Mirza, an ultra-confident and rising Indian star who was seeded 32 but failed to deliver, tumbling out in straight sets in the second round to Michaella Krajicek of Holland.

"There's nothing you can do, it's a match and I just have to put it behind me," she said of her loss.