Hewitt’s fight halted by rain

Just as former champion Lleyton Hewitt looked to be taking charge of his first round match against Albert Montanes, rain halted the encounter at 5-5.

The first three games went on serve before the first interruption of play was had.

After reappearing from the dressing rooms, Hewitt appeared to be the player most affected by the short stoppage as his Spanish opponent captured three of the next four games for an early 5-2 advantage.

However, with Montanes serving for the set at 5-3, the 25-year-old Australian showed his usual grit to sweep through the next two games to level the opening set at five games apiece.

At 5-5, Hewitt held three break points at 0-40 on his opponent’s serve before rain disrupted play again – this time for the remainder of the day.

With less than an hour of play in the entire day, rain was the only winner on day two of the final Grand Slam of the year.

With all play being suspended because of the inclement weather, two other Aussies – Mark Philippoussis and Nicole Pratt – join Hewitt in having to wait till tomorrow to see if they can advance to the second round.

Philippoussis, who was granted a wildcard into this year’s event, will open the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Spanish bull Rafael Nadal, while Pratt will attempt to keep Australia’s hopes alive in the women’s singles draw when she takes on world No.127 Milagros Sequera of Venezuela in the fourth match on Court 9.

Of the few matches that actually got underway on Tuesday, women’s top seed Amelie Mauresmo will be staring down the barrel of a decisive third set when she recommences her match tonight.

After racing through the first set 6-1, the Frenchwoman’s lack of match practice emerged as her first round opponent, little known Kristina Barrois of Germany, began to take the initiative and held a strong 5-2 lead in the second set before the rain intervened.

While men’s world No.1 Roger Federer kicks off his campaign for a third straight US Open title tonight, other players in action include Russian superstar Maria Sharapova, Swiss Miss Martina Hingis and local favourites Andy Roddick and James Blake.

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