Nick Kyrgios missed out on his men's return at the Brisbane International after 18 months out with wrist and knee injuries, while Novak Djokovic won his first match since mid-October.
Kyrgios lost a three-set epic against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (7-2) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) in a contest that lasted two hours and 27 minutes, while Djokovic came through with a comfortable 6-3 6-3 win over Rinky Hijikata.
Kyrgios and Djokovic had come together in the men's doubles on Monday, the big pair defeated Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 10-8. They return to face top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus on Wednesday.
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Watch the highlights as Novak Djokovic beat Rinky Hijikata 6-3 6-3 in round one of the Brisbane International.
Australian Open Kyrgios Doubts | Djokovic 'excited' for Murray partnership
After his singles defeat, Kyrgios said: “It was a good match, because I hadn't played in 18 months. And it was exciting to put myself in a position to win.
“It was good to be back out there and say I can still play a level against someone like that who is coming off the best year of their career and just getting better better.
Kyrgios used his defensive rating of 21 before his injury to enter the Australian Open but admitted he is still unsure whether he will play in Melbourne.
“This is how much I want to take the trauma on the body, the pain,” said the 29-year-old Australian. “I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam for sure.
“Today, if this was a grand slam, we might still be out on the court, and I don't know how I would pull up the next day or the day after that. That the kind of situation it is.”
Novak Djokovic won in straight sets in his first match for more than two months
Meanwhile, after his first win, Djokovic revealed that his new coach Andrew Murray is following his progress from the ski slopes on a family holiday before joining former teammate his competitor at the Australian Open.
“Sending my love to the whole Murray family. I hope he doesn't get injured skiing before he comes to Melbourne,” Djokovic said on court after defeating Hijikata.
“We talked before the game, we talk every day. I'm obviously excited to have him on my team, in my corner.
“For 20 plus years it has been across the web; for the first time ever he is on the same side of the court so it should be fun in Melbourne.
Women's World No. 1 Sabalenka wins Brisbane opener in straight sets
Elsewhere in the men's singles, Frances Tiafoe defeated Australian wild card player Adam Walton 7-5 (7-5) 6-3. Also, fifth seed and world No. 22 Sebastian Korda withdrew with a lower back injury.
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Highlights of Aryna Sabalenka's win over Renata Zarazu at the Brisbane International
In the women's competition, world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her Brisbane singles campaign with a 6-4 6-0 win over Renata Zarazua.
After a first-round bye, Sabalenka took just 63 minutes to reach the third round with form that shows a three-peat at Melbourne Park starting on January 12 is a strong possibility.
“The first match is always difficult to see where your tennis is,” said Sabalenka. “I'm glad I closed that first set and in the second it felt like anything I would work.”
Sabalenka will play 15th seed Yulia Putintseva in the third round after beating Kessler McCartney 6-2 7-5.
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