Dimitrov defeats Raonic, Hewitt falls

World No. 13 Milos Raonic will look to improve his game before the Australian Open begins after failing to win a point on the first serve against Grigor Dimitrov during an opening round loss at the Brisbane International.

Raonic conceded three points on his own first serve but was unable to put pressure on Dimitrov's first serve. Dimitrov, No. 48 in the world rankings, won all 26 of his first-serve points en route to a 6-3, 6-4 win.

The Bulgarian advances in the Brisbane tournament to play No. 7 seeded Austrian Jurgen Melzer, who defeated Belgian David Goffin 6-4 7-6.  Melzer edged Goffin in 87 minutes, winning just five points more and converting one of his four break point chances.

Elsewhere at the Brisbane International former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt was beaten in second-round action, falling 7-5, 7-5 against Denis Istomin. The 26-year-old Istomin won 82 per cent of points behind his first serve and capitalised on three of his 12 break points to beat home favorite Hewitt in one hour and 45 minutes.

"I just didn't take my chances. Should have been up an early break in the first and the second sets," said Hewitt. "I just tried scrapping around to hang in as long as I could, but it was just one of those days. Two matches has been an absolute bonus this week, but it would have been nice to have a few more."