Former champion Lleyton Hewitt drew on his vast experience to tame Dutchman Robin Haase 6-7, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 on his debut.
Hewitt, winner in 2002, missed most of the claycourt season with a hip injury and showed signs that he still had not regained full fitness despite reaching the quarter-finals at the Queen's club tournament earlier this month.
Dropping the opener provided the motivation Hewitt, seeded 20, needed to roust himself, the Australian warming to his task by aiming a verbal volley at the umpire early in the second set which he claimed with two breaks.
After losing the third set Haase needed medical treatment for blisters on both feet but showed no ill effects by easily claiming a second tiebreak to send the match into a decider.
The decisive break came in the fourth game when Hewitt, at full stretch, conjured a low thunderbolt down the line.
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