Hewitt falls flat at Malaysia Open

[rwilli1]

Hewitt falls flat at Malaysia Open



2 hours, 42 minutes ago

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Lleyton Hewitt's autumn bid to lift his 26th ranking got off to a poor start as the former number one lost in the opening round of the Malaysian Open on Tuesday 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 to Swede Joachim Johansson.


The match-up was almost a family affair as Johansson dated eighth seed Hewitt's younger sister Jocelyn for five years.

The winner, who produced the same ace total as Hewitt -- 11 on the night -- was testing the waters after last playing in the ATP nearly a year ago at home in Stockholm as he has been beset by shoulder problems.

Johansson, ranked 446th, saved all nine break points he faced in the 100-minute encounter at the Putra stadium.

The former Top 10 is competing in Malaysia on a wild card. His activity this season has been limited to four Challenger-level events, the last one in May.

Hewitt is playing the fag end of the ATP season with nothing to lose after sitting out a year ago as he recovered from hip surgery. The 28-year-old Australian admits his focus is on obtaining a seeding at the home Open in January.

Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych raced away to a fast start but had to re-establish control to post a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 first-round win over Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

Russian Mikhail Youzhny spoiled the start for Spain's seventh seed David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Berdych, who led his nation into December's Davis Cup final against Spain as he clinched a five-set win over Croatia's Marin Cilic, needed 1 hour, 53 minutes to advance at the Putra stadium.

He broke five times while losing serve twice to the 46th-ranked challenger who beat him five years ago in Moscow and turns 28 on Wednesday.

Victory for 16th-ranked Berdych was his 29th of the season against 20 losses. He has claimed one title in 2009, winning Munich on clay.

Russian Mikhail Youzhny upset Spain's seventh seed David Ferrer 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 while Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello further dimmed Iberian hopes as he defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-3.

Indian qualifier Rohan Bopanna put out Argentine Jose Acasuso in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback.