Former world number one Pete Sampras was a shock first-round loser to fellow American Todd Martin at the Australian men's hardcourt tennis championship today.
The unseeded Martin won 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Sampras had accepted a wild card entry as part of his preparations for the Australian Open starting on January 14th.
In earlier matches at Adelaide's Memorial Drive, former U.S. Open finalist, Australia's Mark Philippoussis, beat France's Julien Boutter 6-3 6-4.
The big-serving Philippoussis had been ahead 6-3 1-0 overnight before rain stopped play.
Fourth seed Hicham Arazi of Morocco beat Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil in a tight three-setter 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7-3).
The Australian men's hardcourt is the first men's tournament of the year and one of the main lead-up events to the January 14th-27th Australian Open in Melbourne.
