PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia Gold plays a backhand in the men's single match against Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic during day one of the 2016 Hopman Cup at Perth Arena on January 3, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Lleyton Hewitt has suffered a first up defeat in his preparations for his final Australian Open.

Hewitt went down in three tough sets to Czech Jiri Vesely in typical fighting fashion, eventually losing 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 in his opening match of the Hopman Cup.

Australian teammate Jarmila Wolfe (formerly Gadjosova) then went down in straight sets to Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-3.

The pair from the Czech Republic then won the doubles 6-2, 7-5 to record a 3-0 over the Australian Gold team.

The Aussie pair will next face the USA on Tuesday, January 5.