Former world No. 1 Thomas Muster crashed out in a flurry of unforced errors at the $125,000 ITF challenger in Braunschweig, Germany Tuesday, losing 6-2, 6-1 in the opening round to Irishman Conor Niland. Muster, 42, was playing his first pro event since the 1999 French Open.
The 28-year-old Niland, currently ranked at a career high No. 165 in the world, was content to mainly hit balls deep down the middle of the court as the 1995 French Open champion struggled with his timing throughout, only holding serve once the whole match and committing six double faults.
Muster is still scheduled to play in the doubles event with Jaan-Frederick Brunken of Germany.
By McCarton Ackerman