Rusty Rusedski falls to Melzer at first hurdle

Greg Rusedski's first appearance on tour since he was cleared of doping ended quickly when he lost to the Austrian Jürgen Melzer, 6-2, 7-6, in the first round of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix here yesterday.

Greg Rusedski's first appearance on tour since he was cleared of doping ended quickly when he lost to the Austrian Jürgen Melzer, 6-2, 7-6, in the first round of the Raiffeisen Grand Prix here yesterday.

Rusedski left the tour after the Australian Open to defend himself against a doping charge, and was cleared in March when he proved that he had he unwittingly drunk contaminated energy drinks provided by ATP Tour trainers. Because the former top-10 player's ranking fell to 105, the ATP said it would help him by encouraging tournaments to offer him wild cards, but the Briton did not need one to play here.

"It took me a very long time to get going," he said. "The first set was over too fast, so when my game came on, it was too late."

Rusedski made only 36 per cent of his first serves in the opening set, and appeared rusty against Melzer, who is enjoying his best season on tour.

"My returns were great today and I knew I could capitalise on Greg's lack of match practice. I have been quite successful recently and with this confidence I want to climb up the ATP ranking," Melzer said.