Sam Groth has brought an early end to Lleyton Hewitt's Brisbane International title defence, making light work of the former world No.1 with a stunning straight sets victory on Tuesday night.
Groth tore through his Davis Cup teammate in just 58 minutes, winning 6-3 6-2 to move through to the second round of the season-opening tournament.
The match lived up to its billing as a contrast of styles, with Groth's near-unstoppable serve too much to handle for Hewitt, who is usually an excellent counterpuncher from the baseline.
But not on this occasion.
Groth, the holder of the world record for the fastest serve ever recorded, dished up 14 aces compared to just one from Hewitt, who was bullied around the court in surprising fashion.
Three of those aces came in the very first game of the match as the late-bloomer from Narrandera in country NSW took firm control early in the piece.
Serving for the first set, Groth survived two break points to draw first blood at Pat Rafter Arena.
He carried the momentum into the second, giving up just 15 points to Hewitt and requiring just one match point to wrap it up - although he did need a challenge to secure the victory.
Groth, ranked world No.85 to Hewitt's No.84, will now face Poland's Lukasz Kubot in the second round and will fancy his chances after announcing his arrival with a powerful performance.
It is a disappointing exit for Hewitt, 34, after his stunning win over Roger Federer in last year's Brisbane International final.
The US Open and Wimbledon champion will slide down the rankings, perhaps out of the top 100, although earlier this week he declared he no longer cared about rankings or points.
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