Alex de Minaur’s slow return to tennis failed to gather any momentum with a straight sets loss in the first round of the Madrid Open.
De Minaur was ousted 6-3 6-4 in an hour and 15 minutes to world No.52 Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
Returning a week ago from a pectoral injury sustained in March, it marked the third time in as many matches de Minaur has exited in his opening match.
The Australian has endured the recent tough stretch after starting the year superbly by winning the Sydney International.
He also made the quarter-finals of the Mexican Open.
But a seeding at the French Open would still appear to be secure for the 20 year-old who has only minor points to defend before the season-opening grand slam starts on May 26.
In other early action former Roland Garros champion Stan Wawrinka defeated Patrick Hugues-Herbert 6-2 6-3 in their first round clash.