Hewitt, Pratt last standing Aussies

Lleyton Hewitt and Nicole Pratt have saved Australia from a completely disastrous showing at this year’s US Open championships, as they each blasted their way into the second round with contrasting victories.

Hewitt took little time to pick up from where he left off yesterday at 5-5, winning the first two games to capture the first set and make clear his intentions to dominate Spain’s Albert Montanes.

It took little over an hour for the 25-year-old Sydney resident to book himself a second round spot, completing the rain-interrupted match 7-5 6-4 6-3 in typical business-like fashion.

Having entered the final major of the year nursing a knee injury, Hewitt’s quick victory is just what the doctor ordered.

“If this was any other tournament, I wouldn’t have even tried to play,” Hewitt said.

Assuming his injury recuperates well after its first real test since its occurrence in Toronto three weeks ago, 15th seed Hewitt will play world No.97 Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic in his second round match which is scheduled for tomorrow.

Pratt’s opening round victory did not come so easily, as her 2006 Open campaign looked to be on its last legs when her opponent, Milagros Sequera of Venezuela, served for the match in the second set.

However, the 33-year-old Queenslander used the momentum gained from recent results and called upon her usual fighting qualities to take the second set and eventually run away with a well-deserved 1-6 7-5 6-2 victory.

“I think it was like a typical victory for me,” Pratt said.

“The last two months have been unbelievable for me so I’m just trying to capitalise on that,” she added.

With the win, Pratt booked a second round meeting with Russian 32nd seed Elena Likhovtseva – a match also scheduled for tomorrow.

Experiencing a contrasting fortune was Mark Philippoussis, who was Australia’s only other remaining player in either of the singles events.

However, after being handed a wildcard into the main draw, he drew two-time French Open champion and tournament second seed Rafael Nadal in what was always going to be a tough opening round match.

Philippoussis put in a good showing against his mentally-superior Spanish opponent, but a lone service break in each set proved enough for him to be out-classed 6-4 6-4 6-4 by a player who appears to be continually on the rise.

“I was happy to play him,” the big-serving Aussie said.

“It’s a good thing just to see where you’re at, to play the best guys ... It shows how hard you have to work if you want to be as good as you can or you want to beat some of the best in the world.”

Despite the loss, Philippoussis remains positive on his outlook on his future in the game.

“If I just stay healthy, I’ve always said that I have no doubt my best tennis is ahead of me.”

Among those advancing to the second round on Wednesday were men’s world No.1 Roger Federer, No.4 seed David Nalbandian and American fifth seed James Blake, while women’s top seed Amelie Mauresmo, No.3 Maria Sharapova and No.8 Martina Hingis all moved through to the second round in the women’s draw.

Ninth-seeded American Andy Roddick was the only player to book a spot in the third round, after beating Denmark’s Kristian Pless in straight sets in the last scheduled match of the day on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Tomorrow, the retiring Andre Agassi will play eighth-seeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the most anticipated match of the tournament to date.

Related Article:

Hewitt’s fight halted by rain (Wed Aug 30)

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