Hobart TAS, Australia, 9 January 2016 | Leigh Rogers

Victorian wildcard Zoe Hives scored the biggest win of her young career today.

The 19-year-old upset Spanish veteran and seventh seed Lourdes Dominguez Lino in their first round qualifying match.

“I’m so excited, I can’t believe it,” the world No.504 gushed as she walked off court.

“She got a lot of balls back, she was a tough opponent. I got a bit lucky on a few shots I think, but I’m just happy to get across the line.”

Hives battled out a 7-6(2) 7-6(6) victory in just under two hours.

Playing in just her second WTA Tour-level match, Hives admitted nerves got the better of her when she served for the match at 5-4 in the second set.

When Dominguez Lino edged ahead in the second set tiebreak, Hives stepped up her aggressive game.

“I just kept thinking ‘relax, relax’ because I got a bit tight at 5-4,” she said.

Hives now faces Spain’s Laura Pous-Tio, a straight set winner against Poland’s Katarzyna Piter, in the second round.

Thank you to the Hobart International for allowing the repost of this story