Lleyton Hewitt has lost his opening round match at the ATP Tour’s US Clay Court Championships in Houston to Argentine Martin Alund 4-6 6-3 6-1.
Buoyed by Australia’s recent Davis Cup success over Uzbekistan, Hewitt started the match promisingly. The 2009 champion took out the opening set against the World No.94 but struggled thereafter.
Ranked number 82 in the world, Hewitt lost his serve five times in the final two sets against an opponent who had previously won just four tour-level matches.
Alund will meet qualifier Robby Ginepri in the next round.