Rebecca Marino of Canada remains calm - at least that's how she appeared to be - after being defeated by reigning French Open Champion Francesca Schiavone during the two-hour battle in the second round of the Australian Open Wednesday.

"It was definitely a nail-biter and I tried to fight the end", Marino said, admitting tha the No.6 seed Schiavone was a 'tough opponent', even considered her 'one of the fittest girls in the Tour'. Marino noted however, that she takes pride in staying in the game considering how difficult it was to stick in it.

Leading 5-4 in the third set, Marino needed only two points and she could have had match points against Schiavone. She saved three match points in the tenth game of the second set, 'breaking the sixth seed as Schiavone struck two-double faults in the game'.

Marino admitted defeat however, after saving three match points in the second set and after her opponent had to hold to serve to stay in the match three times at 4-5, 5-6, and 6-7 in the third set.

Schiavone worked hard to victory at 6-3, 5-7, 9-7, putting her into the third round where she faces Monica Niculescu of Romania.

Marino, currently ranked 104th, gave in with a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Schiavone, expressing disappointment after coming close to winning the match.

"It was a great opportunity. I was two points away, and let's face it, anyone would be a little disappointed being that close", Marino said.

She maintained she can take 'a lot of positive things' from the game. She said, "sometimes, when you get the sting of a loss it motivates you to work even harder".

Despite her elimination at the Australian Open, Marino is expected to move into the top 100 in the women's world tennis rankings, having performed what is considered to be the 'best week of her career'.

Marino is also likely to begin training again at the national training center in Montreal, then head to Novi Sad, Serbia for the first round of the Fed Cup Competition set in early February.