Melbourne, Jan 21: Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt suffered no problems, though, strolling into round two when a freak injury forced Cecil Mamiit to pull out. Australian Hewitt was leading 6-2 6-4 when Mamiit ran into the umpire's chair chasing a drop shot and hurt his right ankle. He lasted only one more game before calling it quits.
Hewitt's fellow Australian and 10th seed Mark Philippoussis thrilled his home crowd with a 7-6 6-2 7-6 win over 2002 champion Johansson. The Swede missed most of last year through injury and could not get to grips with the Philippoussis serve.
Third seed and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero did not hang about, pounding fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-0 6-1 6-1 for a resounding victory. He was followed through by British 11th seed Tim Henman who ousted France's Jean-Rene Lisnard 6-2 6-4 6-2.


Bureau Report