Hewitt Leads Aussies, McEnroe Wins at ATP San Jose
Posted on February 16, 2006
Three Aussies worked their way into the second round of play Wednesday at the ATP stop in San Jose in No. 3 seed Lleyton Hewitt (d. Goldstein), wildcard Mark Philippoussis (d. (4) Robredo from a set down), and serving machine Wayne Arthurs (d. Reynolds from a set down) who put on a show with 27 aces.
For Hewitt it was his first tour appearance since the Australian Open.
"I'm not quite 100 percent, so it's nice to get through," said Hewitt, who skipped last weekend's Davis Cup opening round citing a twisted ankle. "I felt like I moved a lot better in the past. It's a little bit of confidence with pushing off the ankle."
Philippoussis evened his win-loss mark to 2-2 on the year after defeating Robredo.
"It definitely makes me feel very good, it's pretty much been the hard work I've been putting in and it's paying off," Philippoussis said. "Everything's starting to come now and I know that, so I just need to be patient and keep working at it. If I keep working the way I am then the results will come."
FOLDHERE
Other first-round winners Wednesday were No. 7 seed Dmitry Tursunov (d. Bjorkman from a set down), Belgian Kristof Vliegen (d. Schuettler), and Dane Kenneth Carlsen (d. Dlouhy from a set down).
Unseeded Vince Spadea became the first player to gain a quarterfinal berth Wednesday after steamrolling American lucky loser Travis Rettenmaier 2-and-0.
In first-round doubles highlights, John McEnroe made a victorious return to play on the ATP tour, teaming with Swede Jonas Bjorkman to oust No. 2 seeds Arthurs and Wimbledon champ Stephen Huss 6-3, 6-3.
"The old dog wanted to teach the young guys new tricks," McEnroe told the crowd before a birthday cake was brought out and the fans sang "Happy Birthday" to the man who turned 47 Thursday.
"One day (down), hopefully three to go," said the former doubles No. 1 on his intent to take home the San Jose title.
For McEnroe it was his first appearance on a doubles court at a regular ATP event since 1994.
Lining up on Thursday in San Jose are Phau vs. (Q) B.Wilson, (Q) Gimelstob vs. Vliegen, (WC) Philippoussis vs. Soderling, (7) Tursunov vs. Arthurs, (Q) Querry vs. (3) Hewitt, (1) Roddick vs. Carlsen, and Murray vs. Y.-T. Wang.
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