Former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt and rising star Grigor Dimitrov will clash in a dream second round match at the Aegon Championships after squeezing through their opening encounters at The Queen's Club on Monday.

Both players came from a set down to triumph, Hewitt against American Michael Russell and Dimitrov, who stood two points of defeat at 4-5, 0-30 versus Israeli Dudi Sela.

Watched from courtside by girlfriend Maria Sharapova, Dimitrov lost the first set 6-4, but as darkness descended, he found some rhythm with his languid, all-court game and fought back to win 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4).

"I love this tournament," said Dimitrov afterwards. "I love being here, there's a lot of history, it's a very special court to me and I always feel good on it. One day I hope that I can win this tournament."

He was also asked what it was like to have Sharapova in attendance at one of his matches. Dimitrov said: "It was just a regular day, but I'm happy that she came to watch."

His second round clash against Hewitt will be their first meeting, and will take place third on Centre Court after 12.30pm.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Britain's Dan Evans overcame the shock of a heavy fall and an injury timeout in the second game of the match to thrash Guido Pella 6-3, 6-1. Evans will face 11th seed Jarkko Niemenen or Ryan Harrison in the second round.

His compatriot James Ward was less fortunate. The British No.2 and semifinalist of two years ago twice served for the match against Croatia's Ivan Dodig, who Ward may well face in a Davis Cup World Group play-off in September. Dodig broke back on both occasions, and eventually triumphed in three tie-break sets.

Sam Querrey, the 2010 champion, opens the Centre Court programme against Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, and then the 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro takes on Xavier Malisse of Belgium. After that, Dimitrov meets Hewitt, before defending champion Marin Cilic takes on compatriot Dodig.