Lleyton Hewitt finally ran out of steam and was beaten 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 by Fernando Gonzalez in the third round of the Hamburg Masters on Thursday.
The Australian top seed had played six hours of tennis in overcoming his first two opponents and often looked flat against the lively 15th-seeded Chilean.
Gonzalez dominated much of the match with his sharp returns and fierce forehand winners and Hewitt rarely looked capable of turning the tide.
Hewitt swiftly fell behind 5-0 and earned just two game points in the first set.
In the second, Gonzalez broke to lead 1-0 then twice dropped his own serve to love, for the Australian to level the match at one set all.
In the decider Hewitt, who is short of clay practice after suffering a viral infection, failed to impose himself on a confident opponent, earning just one game point, on Gonzalez's serve in the first game.
Hewitt said the long matches in Hamburg meant he was feeling more comfortable on clay with the French Open just 10 days away, but the courts were heavier than those at Roland Garros.
"The French Open is more of a powder kind of surface. I've had decent results here, but I definitely feel I've got better chances at the French Open than here."
Third seed Roger Federer went down 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to big-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis.
The Swiss number three seed won the first three games, then fell victim to some fine volleying and crisp passing shots.
But the Australian had trouble closing out the match, failing to convert seven match points at 5-1 and saving two break points at 5-3 before winning on his ninth match point.
CUT SHORT
Gustavo Kuerten's French Open preparations were also cut short when he lost 7-6, 6-4 to South African Wayne Ferreira.
There was little to separate the pair throughout the match, but Ferreira was more aggressive and better at taking any opportunities that fell his way.
The 11th-seeded Brazilian had the early advantage, breaking for 2-1 and holding two break points in the fifth game after Ferreira had levelled at 2-2.
Kuerten also led 4-1 in the tiebreak before surrendering the next six points and the former French Open champion was broken at 4-4 in the second set to allow Ferreira to serve for victory.
Unseeded Olivier Rochus of Belgium followed up his second-round win over French Open champion Albert Costa by ending the run of Britain's Tim Henman.
Although Henman played well in patches, Rochus won the first eight points of the first set and the last 12 before taking a 4-0 lead in the second on the way to a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
"There were some good periods, but it's something you have to string together a bit longer," Henman said.
"You look at the overall consistency of his performance and it was certainly a lot better than mine and when he had to produce something extra he hit some great passing shots and drop shots."
