US Open preparation for Lleyton Hewitt has taken a rough turn after the former world No.1 suffered a painful first round loss to Julien Benneteau at the Rogers Cup.
Returning to Toronto for the first time since 2006, Hewitt served up a reminder that the former world No.1 is still in search of consistent Grand Slam form. The 33-year-old struggled coming off his 30th ATP title in Newport last month and a strong showing in Washington last week, eventually falling 6-1, 6-2 in 75 minutes.
The Frenchman dismissed rain delay distractions during both sets to convert four of 16 break points and end a three-match losing streak, also claiming the first head-to-head between the pair since 2010.
“The rain delay, it’s never easy but it’s for both players,” Benneteau said. “I had two break points before, 15-40 and then a deuce. So it’s never easy.”
“He’s a great fighter and to beat him you have to play solid,” the world No.47 said of Hewitt. “You have to do a good match. It’s the kind of player that if your level is not good enough, you don’t win.”
Young Aussie hopeful Thanasi Kokkinakis showed a little more fight in his first round loss to South African Kevin Anderson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while a couple of other high-profile Aussies are set to kick off their campaigns in Toronto- Bernard Tomic faces Ivo Karlovic and teenager Nick Kyrgios will take on Santiago Giraldo, with the winner earning a spot against Andy Murray in the second round. Marinko Matosevic reportedly withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder complaint.
13-seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga followed fellow compatriot Benneteau into the next stage with a victory over Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 7-6 (3), 6-1, in his first appearance since losing to Novak Djokovic in the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Croatian Martin Cilic also knocked out Denis Istomin 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, converting five of 17 break points to help secure the win.
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
