Janko Tipsarevic's return to the ATP World Tour was a successful one, the Serbian winning his first-round clash at the US Men's Clay Court Championship on Tuesday.
Tipsarevic spent over 17 months out of competition after surgery on his left foot, but the former world number nine's comeback saw him save two match points to defeat Guilherme Clezar 6-4 3-6 7-6 (9-7).
It was just his second match win since reaching the US Open fourth round in 2013, and Tipsarevic - who is unranked after his inactive period - said he received a flurry of support as he graced the singles court once more.
"I think I got more messages today before the match than I got when my daughter was born," the 30-year-old said.
He added: "In my mind, I don't feel like I was away for so long.
"I felt like this was a match I needed to win. I was ready, and I was fit.
"I had no confidence coming in, but saving match points with forehand winners down the line maybe proved otherwise.
"I really felt I had to win this match, and I would have been really sad otherwise."
Next up for Tipsarevic is fifth seed Santiago Giraldo, who was too good for qualifier Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-2 6-2.
Sixth seed and defending champion Fernando Verdasco was handed passage to the second round when opponent Paolo Lorenzi retired, with the score 6-3 4-3 in favour of the Spaniard.
Verdasco will take on Chung Hyeon, who defeated fellow qualifier Facundo Arguello 6-3 7-5 to advance to the last 16 at the ATP 250 event.
Seventh seed Jeremy Chardy broke serve twice in each set on his way to a 6-4 6-4 win over Dusan Lajovic, and will meet Go Soeda for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Steve Johnson downed fellow American Donald Young 7-5 6-4, while Teymuraz Gabashvili dumped out another local Tim Smyczek 6-3 6-3.
Jack Sock advanced with a 5-7 6-4 6-2 win over Joao Souza, earning the American a clash with second seed Roberto Bautista Agut.