Hewitt battles to avoid shock exit
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-08 09:18

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt edged into the third round of the Stella Artois Championships at Queen's Club in west London with a 6-7 7-5 7-5 victory over Belgium's Xavier Malisse on Tuesday.

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt celebrates winning a point in his final game against Belgium's Xavier Malisse during their second round match at the Stella Artois Championships being held at Queen's Club in London, June 7, 2005. Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis completed a successful day for Australia on June 7th, returning from three-month injury layoffs with contrasting victories at the Stella Artois Championships. [Reuters]

The Australian, returning from a three-month injury break, was sidelined in March with a toe injury.

And Hewitt had to delay his return to competitive action after fracturing a rib in a fall at his Sydney home last month.

Desperate to get match practice ahead of Wimbledon later this month, Hewitt's plans appeared in trouble as he scrambled around the slick green surface.

After losing the first set 7-3 in the tiebreak, he displayed his determination by winning the next two, securing victory with his 10th ace after two hours 37 minutes.

Hewitt's compatriot and 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis enjoyed an easier workout with a 6-4 6-0 win over Dutchman Raemon Sluiter in the first round.

Philippoussis's victory set up a tantalising encounter with second seed Andy Roddick, a match that is sure to produce fireworks between the two big servers.

"The key was just come in there with just a positive mind and try and have a good start, keep on my toes," said Philippoussis who has also been out injured.

"I've done everything I possibly can in my control to get as fit as I can in the time I've had off.

"I just wanted to go out there with confidence, jumping around. Obviously, I haven't played for a while, so I was just eager to be out there. I'm feeling good."

Once ranked eighth, the 28-year-old Philippoussis's standing has slid to 189 in the world after ankle and back problems.

He needed a wildcard to get into the grasscourt event he won in 1997 and record only his third victory on the ATP tour this season.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet showed his expertise on the slick surface, serving and volleying his way to a 6-1 7-6 win over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic.

Third-seeded Tim Henman also won, holding off a strong challenge from Robby Ginepri of the United States 7-6 4-6 6-1.

Ginepri recovered an early break in the opening set and then led 5-3 in the tiebreaker before Henman rallied.

The home crowd also had reason to cheer after Jamie Delgado thanked organizers for his wildcard by defeating France's Gael Monfils 6-2 6-4.

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