Hewitt given reasons to be happy
Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt was satisfied with both his game and his ankle after progressing to the French Open’s third round today.
The 25-year-old Australian, who pulled out of last year’s tournament at Roland Garros because of a broken rib, has had an injury-plagued 2006.
He suffered a calf problem during his clay-court preparation this year before badly spraining his right ankle during a first-round clash with Brazilian Marco Daniel in the Portschaech event at the end of May.
But having entered the Parisian grand slam with no expectations, Hewitt followed up his first-round win over Czech Republic’s Jan Hernych with a crushing 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory over Frenchman Mathieu Montcourt.
“I am pretty happy at the moment,” said Hewitt.
“I am still in the tournament. Coming here a week ago, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to play.
“So it’s obviously good to be through to the third round. I have not wasted a lot of energy so far and I’ve got matches under my belt.
“I will see what happens from here.”
Hewitt is also confident his ankle will hold up, although he admits it has felt better.
“The ankle is still not 100%,” he added. “But I am doing all I need to do right at the moment.
“I’ve played with pain before. I am used to it.”
Hewitt will next face Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty, who overcame Croatia’s Ivan Karlovic in a five-set battle.
“Hrbaty is a workhorse out there,” added Hewitt.
“He does not give you too many cheap points. He is extremely fit and is going to run down a lot of balls.
“We’ve had some tough matches in the past and I’ve been able to get through quite a bit of them.
"But I have never played him on clay.”
Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis, the 19th seed, was the surprise finalist at the Australian Open last January but will not experience the same destiny in Paris after being ousted 3-6 6-4 6-3 6-7 (1/7) 6-4 by unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau.
Baghdatis, 19, admitted life had been tougher than expected since his Australian Open feat.
“It’s disappointing to lose in the second round of a grand slam, especially here in Paris,” said Baghdatis, who has been living and training in the French capital for two years.
“I’ve worked hard and tried hard. But it’s been tough for me since the Australian Open.
“I’ve had a lot of doubts and questioned myself a lot. It’s not been easy.
“I’ve put myself under a lot of pressure. People expect me to play well so it’s tougher.
“It’s a nice challenge also. It’s hard but I am sure it will get better throughout the season.”
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