Two rising stars of women's tennis have banded together for the Australian Open doubles competition.

Queenslander Ashleigh Barty, 15, and Melbourne-born Brit Laura Robson, who turns 18 on Saturday, have huge futures ahead of them. Both are junior Wimbledon champions, and subsequently hold the weight of their nation's expectations on their shoulders. Somewhat comically, both have been touted as ‘the next Martina Hingis.'

Their doubles campaign, however, did not last long as they were knocked out in their first match, despite taking the first set 6-3. The next two sets fell 2-6 3-6, but the match was a lot closer than that score suggests. Barty and Robson forced numerous break points off their opponents, American Jill Craybas and Slovak Dominika Cibulkova, but were let down by their conversion.

Robson's baseline work was equal to any seasoned professional's, while Barty's precision hitting was sublime. They showed no material weaknesses that won't be fixed as they grow both physically and mentally. Barty, for instance, needs more power in her groundstrokes, but show me a 15-year-old who doesn't.

It's easy to see why the experts are predicting successful futures.

So, given the distinct possibility that these two will battle each other near the top of the rankings over the next decade, it struck me as interesting that they should join forces as youngsters. Are their similar situations drawing them together? Or are they hoping to gain inside information of a potential future rival?

A probable reason for the partnership is that entering both singles and doubles draws allows for twice the experience of match practice at the highest level. Of course, they play to win, but for players at this stage of their careers, just getting out there and playing achieves enough. As such, it's unlikely that any career doubles players would team up with them.

Of course, if the duo fulfill their potential and are Top Ten players in the future, the inside knowledge they have on each other could come in handy. But until they get to that stage, it's unlikely that either is concerned with that.

Unfortunately, Barty was unavailable for comment after the match, so speculation is all we have to go by.

One thing's for certain, though, the excitement around the pair, and particularly the Queenslander, is electric. Despite playing on Court 13 - one of the most remote at Melbourne Park - the crowd was full and vocal. People sporting Aussie flags were piling in well before the first match on the court was finished.

Who wouldn't want to see the future, today?