Contrasting wins for Australian pair
Date published :
13 Jan 2010 - 09:13:24
Australian duo Lleyton Hewitt and Peter Luczak both advanced to the quarter-finals of the Sydney International in blustery conditions.
Hewitt progressed with an emphatic 6-0 6-2 demolition of Italy's Andreas Seppi while 30-year-old Luczak came from behind to upset second seed Tomas Berdych 1-6 6-4 6-2.
Hewitt declared his performance a "step up" from his deeds at the Hopman Cup but remains wary of next opponent Marcos Baghdatis, and said: "He's had a couple injuries and he's bounced back well from those. He dropped down and played quite a few Challengers throughout last year to get his ranking back where he is at the moment. He's always a class player, a great ball-striker and moves well from the back of the court."
Baghdatis overcame sixth seed Viktor Troicki 7-5 6-3 in a hard-fought encounter on Ken Rosewall Arena to progress to the final eight.
In other results, Frenchman Richard Gasquet ousted eighth seed Benjamin Becker in straight sets while Julien Benneteau outlasted American Taylor Dent 6-3 5-7 7-6.
In the women's draw, Aravane Rezai beat Flavia Pennetta 6-3 6-0 to book a semi-final against top seed Serena Williams who demolished Vera Dushevina 6-2 6-2.
