Cameron Norrie returned to form with a trademark gutsy display to snap a four-match losing streak and down Roberto Carballes Baena in three sets at the Moselle Open.
It has been a poor season for the former British number one, who has struggled for form either side of a last-32 appearance at Wimbledon.
World number 57 Norrie had not won on the ATP Tour since July after a forearm injury forced him to miss the Olympics and US Open, but he rallied back from a break down in both the second and third set to clinch a much-needed 3-6 6-4 6-3 victory in Metz.
One position separated the duo in the rankings and it was Carballes Baena, the higher ranked player, who made the first move in set one with a break in the sixth game.
It was enough to give the Spanish veteran the upper-hand in the match and when he broke to go 3-2 up in the second set, Norrie appeared in trouble again.
Norrie, who lost in qualifying for the Paris Masters last week, instantly hit back and with the momentum on his side, edged a hard-fought set to force a decider.
A marathon hold at the start of the third for Norrie was a sign of things to come as the pressure eventually told when Carballes Baena claimed the first break.
Yet with Carballes Baena again 3-2 up, Norrie produced clutch tennis to break back and reeled off the next three games to secure a timely first-round triumph in two hours and 17 minutes.