Marat Safin brought Lleyton Hewitt down to earth on Tuesday when he won the battle of the former world number ones by beating him 6-4 7-5 in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters.
Australian Hewitt, who won the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston on Sunday, could not match Safin's accuracy and bowed out on the third match point when he sent a backhand wide.
Russian Safin, who topped the ATP rankings for the first time in November 2000 following his U.S. Open victory, next faces Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.
He set his record straight to 7-7 with Hewitt, whom he beat in the Australian Open final in 2005.
Hewitt, who became world number one in November 2001, had his right thigh strapped after the first set but, true to his reputation, did not give up easily.
Both players traded breaks early in the match, with Safin stealing Hewitt's serve a second time in the 10th game to clinch the opening set.
World number 57 Hewitt, a wildcard entry, broke in the third game of the second set, only for Safin to level in the following with a forehand winner down the line.
The Russian wrapped up the win on his opponent's serve after 95 minutes.
