Leicestershire tennis player Tom Styles showed bags of courage to help Team GB to a steady start in the Global Games in Italy.
The Games, which are being held in Liguria and run until Tuesday, are for athletes with a learning disability who are looking to qualify for next year's Paralympics in London.
Melton's Styles, partnered by Peter Miller of the Wirral, claimed a 10-4 victory over an Italian pairing in their first match.
In their second match against Australia II, GB trailed as Styles took to the court and he was involved in a set lasting more than 90 minutes before overcoming his opponent 7-3 in a tie-break.
However, another tie-break to decide the contest saw Australia claim a 10-5 win.
The GB duo were also on court against the Czech Republic, with the Czechs winning.
However, the match was cut short because of poor light and on resuming the following morning, the Czechs won 2-0.
Next up for Styles and Miller was a clash against the Australian first team.
It was another cracking contest as Miller defeated his opponent 6-2 before Styles went down by the same scoreline in the second rubber.
That took the contest into a deciding tie-break with the Australians winning 10-5.