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Seppi knocks out Hewitt
20/02/2008 20:03 - (SA)
Rotterdam - Lleyton Hewitt blew a third-set match point and paid the price as Andreas Seppi turned the tables with a winning tie-breaker to advance 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/4) at the Rotterdam Open on Wednesday.
Hewitt, a 2004 champion at the Ahoy arena whose number 21 ranking is a huge step away from his one-time top status, had only himself to blame after losing to the Italian in just under three hours.
Italy's Seppi, 42nd in the world and without a career title, sent Hewitt to the scrap heap alongside sixth seed Andy Murray.
Dutch wild card Robin Haase brought the victory celebrations to an end for Andy Murray, knocking out the sixth-seeded Scot 7-5 6-3 in a battle of 20-year-olds.
Hewitt exits his first European indoor event in a year regretting what might have been.
"It was tight and I should have won," said the player who turns 27 on Sunday.
"It's frustrating to have chances and not take them. If you can get out of the first round you have chances to build on that.
"But this is my only indoor (winter) event, so it's not like I need indoor matches. I didn't come here expecting a whole heap."
Murray's loss just three days after lifting his second title of the season at Marseille, left him with a pair of trophys and just as many first-round exits this roller-coaster season.
"I was not happy with my returns," said Murray, who regained a Top ten place only days ago.
"The court here is much slower than in Marseille."
- AFP
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