The 19yearold exploded on to the world stage this week, reaching the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York.

Peers won three qualifying games and defeated former top-20 player Aleksandra Wozniak in the first round to earn a centre court match against her childhood hero Kim Clijsters.

She braved the centre court crowd to face Clijsters on Thursday morning Melbourne time, fighting valiantly before going down 6-2, 6-1.

Her achievements are all the more remarkable as it was the first time she had ever won a qualifying game at a grand slam, let alone a main-draw match.

Her coach, Louise Pleming, was watching from the stands, and said her student took it all in her stride.

"Of course, playing in front of 24,000 people and playing the US Open champion from last year, playing one of the top players in the world, there's a lot of things she had to harness and keep in control and I think she did an incredible job."

The coach said Peers was disappointed that she had only lasted 56 minutes against Clijsters.

"She felt like the match went very quickly. That's normal when you play Kim Clijsters - she plays the fastest tempo of any of the top-10 players."

Aside from the $31,000 prize purse she will collect for making it to the second round, Peers would learn a lot from the tournament, Pleming said.

"It's just huge in terms of her confidence and experience and opportunity.

"She said to me, 'It was great, I can see the level I'm working towards'."

In the lead-up to the game Peers took advice from tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, adding to the sense of occasion.

Pleming said the tournament would stay with her student for a long time.

"You never forget your first big moment on the big stage."