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Hewitt continues unbeaten run

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot to Mashona Washington of the US in New Haven, Connecticut. PHOTO: AFP

Lleyton Hewitt defeated Olivier Mutis on Tuesday at the ATP Long Island event to move within one victory of reaching 50 match wins for the fourth time in five years.

Australia's Hewitt, who is 49-13 on the season, beat France's Mutis 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 to reach the second round and post his 11th win in his last 12 matches.

The second seed is seeking his fourth title of the season and third final in his last three appearances.

Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan cruised past American Kevin Kim 6-3, 6-2 and on yesterday met Wayne Ferreira.

Hewitt, who arrived at the venue in a chartered helicopter, is the No. 1 attraction after Andre Agassi pulled out.

Hewitt took a few early games to find his range against the 115th ranked Mutis.

Hewitt saved three break points at 3-3 before holding and breaking Mutis in the next game.

Serving at 5-3 and 40-15, the Aussie was broken on a rash of unforced errors, with Mutis saving another two set points serving to stay in the match at 4-5 before they went to a breaker.

A drop shot short from the Frenchman handed Hewitt the set on a fifth opportunity. But once he settled, Hewitt sailed ahead and next faces another French opponent, Michel Llodra, in today's second round.

"It took awhile to adjust to a night match," said world number 5 Hewitt. "I only had a quick hit on an outside court today. I'd never seen him play on hardcourt. I should have won the first set easier than 7-6.

Defending champion Paradorn, winner of the last two editions, is now 29-20 this season and was playing his first match since losing in the Olympic first round.

Croatia's Olympic doubles silver medallist Mario Ancic slumped to his fifth first-round defeat of the season, losing to Russian Dimitry Tursunov 6-1, 6-4.

Ancic lifted the Athens doubles medal bronze alongside Ivan Ljubicic.

But the flight from Greece obviously didn't do much for the Croatian's game for Ancic, now holding a 2004 record of 23-17 heading into Monday's start of the US Open.

Seventh seed Joachim Johansson of Sweden beat German Daniel Elsner 6-4, 6-3 to set up a clash with American Jan-Michael Gambill. Luis Horna of Peru, ousted the day's second German, Alexander Popp 6-1, 6-3.

Austrian Stefan Koubek pounced on Spain's David Ferrer 6-1, 6-3 while Russian Igor Andreev overcame former French Open winner Albert Costa 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

WTA New Haven Open

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova was stunned 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 by unheralded Mashona Washington in the second round of the WTA New Haven event on Tuesday.

Defending New Haven champ Jennifer Capriati quickly advanced to the third round, avoiding a challenge from French teenager Tatiana Golovin 6-3, 6-2.

Daniela Hantuchova and No.7 seed Elena Bovina also moved on winning both their matches in straight sets.

American Washington advances to the quarterfinals where she will meet Elena Bovina, the seventh seed from Russia, who cruised into the round of eight with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Spanish qualifier Marta Marrero.
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