James Ward, who reached the semi finals of Queens three years ago, lasted only one hour and 45 against Mikhail Youzhny as the opening day of Wimbledon gathered pace.
The Russian prevailed 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in what was a disappointingly one sided affair.
Ward has a game that is eminently suited to grass, with a big serve and strong backhand. But Youzhny matched him in every department and was far more consistent.
Ward said afterwards: "Look I played a guy 17 in the world. There are no easy matches here anyway, but definitely not playing a seed first up. You,ve got to take it on the chin and move forward. It's not going to be an enjoyable rest of the day for me."
Daniel Cox faired little better against Jeremy Chardy, ranked 43 in the world.
Cox, ranked only 215 and short of stature, ran his heart out but could not match the Frenchman's power losing 6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.
Cox found it hard to get his first serve into play enough to trouble the experienced Chardy who looked thoroughly at home on grass.
Naomi Broady possesses one of the biggest serves in the women's game lacks consistency in the rest of her repertoire.
She was soon struggling against Hungary's Timea Babos who broke her twice to go 4-1 up in the first set.
So far only Andy Murray has managed to lift the spirits of the Brits on Wimbledon's opening day although, later, Dan Evans could surprise Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov.
