Melbourne: Pat Rafter`s Grand Slam comeback last just one match after he and Lleyton Hewitt lost in the first round of the Australian Open men`s doubles on Wednesday.

The Australian pair went down 6-4, 7-5 to American Eric Butorac and South African Raven Klaasen.

Former US Open champion Rafter, 41, broke a 13-year retirement to partner Hewitt in the doubles.

Rafter, Australia`s Davis Cup captain, thrilled a large crowd at Hisense Arena with his touch around the net.

"I didn`t want to make an idiot of myself and I thought I got through it okay," Rafter said.

Hewitt was playing a day after losing a gruelling singles five-setter to Italian seed Andreas Seppi in intense heat.