Greg Rusedski created a shock in the opening round of the Hall of Fame Championships at Newport, Rhode Island by knocking out French fourth seed Gregory Carraz 6-1 4-6 6-3.
Rusedski is the only former champion in the field having claimed the first of his 13 ATP Tour titles here in 1993.
The big-serving Briton now faces Kenneth Carlsen in the second round after the Dane defeated Australian wild card Todd Reid in three sets.
Rusedski has beaten Carlsen in straight sets on all three occasions they have met on the ATP Tour, at Boston in 1999, Cincinnati in 1996 and Seoul in 1995.
Meanwhile, James Blake posted a 7-6 (9/7) 6-3 victory over Belgium’s Dick Norman in his first match after more than two months out due to a neck injury.
Also, top seed Vincent Spadea opened the grass-court event with a 6-3 4-6 6-3 win over fellow American Jeff Salzenstein.