Marat Safin brought Lleyton Hewitt down to earth when the Russian won the battle of the former world number ones by beating the Australian 6-4 7-5 in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters.
After winning the U.S. Clay Court Championships in Houston on Monday Hewitt could not match Safin's accuracy and bowed out on the third match point when he sent a backhand wide.
Safin next faces Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.
