Johannesburg - South Africa's number two Jean Andersen lost in straight sets 6-4 6-3 6-3 to Polish number one Jerzy Janowicz in Zielona Gora, Poland on Friday.
Janowicz, ranked 24th in the world, was a heavy favourite for the clash, but had his troubles against the South African, ranked at 758th.
In the end, though, the quality of Janowicz was too much for Anderson as South Africa fell behind early in the tie.
Poland take a 1-0 lead in the Euro-Africa Group One tie, with South Africa's number one Rik de Voest up against Lukasz Kubot in the next rubber on Friday.