NEW YORK (AP) _ Before the U.S. Open started, Ivan Ljubicic leaned forward in a chair in the players' lounge and spoke earnestly about feeling self-assured and ready for a strong run at the year's last Grand Slam tournament.

Fast-forward to Monday: The third-seeded Ljubicic became the first surprise loser of the Open, defeated 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 by Feliciano Lopez on Day 1.

``I really never got going. That's true. It's really hard for me to explain what happened. Obviously, if I had an explanation, I would try to do something differently,'' Ljubicic said. ``Just not my day.''

He never mustered a break point against Lopez, a Spaniard ranked 77th who came to New York with a 15-23 tour record this year.

What made Lopez's serve so tough?

``Well, everything,'' Ljubicic said. ``Pace, precision, accuracy, lefty, everything.''

They met at two Grand Slam tournaments earlier this year, with Ljubicic beating Lopez at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

Despite his own big serve, Ljubicic has had his least success at the U.S. Open over the years. He reached the Australian Open quarter-finals and French Open semifinals this season; he's never been past the third round in New York.

Ljubicic has talked about not getting the credit he's due by virtue of his ranking _ something he attributes to having his most success at age 27.

``If you do well when you're young, then you're much better known than doing well later in your career,'' he said Monday. ``But, I mean, I really don't mind.''

Days earlier, he discussed being seeded so high, yet not being a part of the pre-tournament conversation about title contenders.

``I understand. Everybody's talking about the other guys and I'm not there,'' he said Friday. ``If I do well, they're going to talk about me. And if I don't do well, they were right.''