Marcos Baghdatis exited 6-3, 2-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 against Arnaud Clement in the first round of the U.S. Open, abruptly ending a summer hardcourt resurgence that saw him reach the semifinals in Washington and defeat Rafael Nadal on his way to the same stage in Cincinnati.

"I was really heavy on court," he said. "Couldn't play aggressive. I was really defensive today, and Arnaud played a very good first set.

Asked about the reasons for his sub-par performance, Baghdatis said, "Maybe a bit tired, you knowbeen a month and three weeks I'm out here, and it's a lot of time."