Lleyton Hewitt and partner Casey Dellacqua both made successful injury comebacks at the Hopman Cup on Monday as Australia went down to Germany 2-1 in the eight-nation team event.
The Slovak Republic hammered the defending champion and five-time holder the US through singles victories from teenager Dominika Cibulkova and injury-return veteran Domink Hrbaty.
Cibulkova crushed Meghann Shaughnessy 6-2, 6-2 while Hrbaty, returning from elbow surgery which compromised 2008, overcame James Blake 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1) in a game which saw the American commit 62 unforced errors.
Blake flew in from an exhibition payday last weekend in Abu Dhabi and showed the lack of form with which he began the season.
"This is my first big win after the elbow," said Hrbaty after beating the world number 10. "I played very well today, we had some beautiful tennis.
"It can't can't get any better, I'm happy with how my tennis is going."
Hewitt made a resounding return after summer hip surgery, winning his singles over Nicolas Kiefer 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2.
Dellacqua, who had to change her serve after suffering a shoulder problem in 2008, lost her match to teenaged Sabine Lisicki 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
The Germans, looking for a third title in Hopman history, came good in the mixed doubles, winning 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 10-5 (match tiebreak) to assure the group win.
In the evening tie, defending champion US with Blake and Shaughnessy were opening against the Slovak Republic with veteran Hrbaty and Cibulkova.
Hewitt, ranked 67th, showed that his August operation is looking like a major medical success. "The hip pulled up pretty well," said the former number one. "I had to get a lot of balls back, he served well.
"The best thing about this week is that I'm guaranteed three singles matches and get good preparation for Sydney next week and then the Open."
Hewitt has not played since the Beijing Olympics, when he finally realised that only surgery could cure his chronic joint problem.
"It's good to be back, I was a long time out," said the 27-year-old two-time Grand Slam champion. "It's been a long time since I played, I've been hanging for this match for a long time."
The Australian laboured for two hours, 42 minutes to finally wear down the 31-year-old Kiefer, who once stood fourth in the world.
"I was a long time out of the game, this was a good way to start a comeback."
Lisicki, 19, got Germany off to the best possible start as she preyed on the nerves of Perth-born Dellacqua.
The German won the battle of debutants by claiming 12 of the last 13 points, converting on a third of a massive 21 break chances against the Aussie.
"I was just fighting, I wanted to play my best tennis," said the winner. "The first match of the season is never easy to play, especially against Casey here at home. I'm happy with this win."
Dellacqua began her 2008 with an Australian Open quarter-final, then reached the third round at both Paris and Wimbledon and the Paris doubles final.
But her shoulder injury forced her out and dictated a change of serving motion during the off-season.
"I'm sure I will be more relaxed in the next match, the shoulder is feeling well. Coming out of a three-set match it's holding up very well. That's good news for me."
