Lleyton Hewitt has succumbed to a red-hot Florian Mayer as Germany levelled the Davis Cup tie against Australia at 1-1 in Hamburg.
Mayer defeated Australia’s greatest Davis Cup servant 7-5 6-3 6-2 in two hours and seven minutes on clay at Rothenbaum Stadium.
It was Hewitt’s first straights sets singles loss in Davis Cup since 2005.
Bernard Tomic earlier opened Australia’s account with a 2-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over world No.127 Cedrik-Marcel Stebe in three hours and 17 minutes.
Tomic had to overcome cold, blustery conditions for his win on the slow clay court with the roof being shut for Hewitt’s clash against Mayer.
In the calmer conditions, the world No.25 German outplayed Hewitt from the moment the Australian had the chance to serve for the first set at 5-4.
Australia must win the tie to return to the elite World Group next year for the first time since 2007.
Hewitt and Chris Guccione will team up for Australia in the doubles against Philipp Petzschner and Benjamin Becker on Saturday before the reverse singles on Sunday.