Dan Evans and Marcus Willis were the only Britons to win on the opening day of Wimbledon as six other home players lost their first-round matches.
Laura Robson and Kyle Edmund were both beaten in straight sets, with James Ward, Alex Ward, Brydan Klein and Naomi Broady also out on the opening day.
Evans, 26, won 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 against Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in three hours and 17 minutes.
British number ones Andy Murray and Johanna Konta play on Tuesday.
Fifteen British players made the main singles draws - the most at the All England Club since 2006 - though that number was significantly reduced on a tough opening day for the home hopes.
But, in the most remarkable story of the day, British qualifier Willis - ranked 772 in the world - was a straight-set victor over world number 54 Ricardis Berankis.
"He's a good guy, friendly, harmless," Evans said of Willis. "Not a bad bone really. He's a bit of a clown. What you see is what you get with him.
"He's just a bit of a joker, just enjoys himself. You know, he's a really nice guy, one of my good friends."
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