Lu Yen-Hsun sends Lleyton Hewitt packing at the BNP Paribas Open 2011
Former world number 1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia was thrashed by Lu Yen-Hsun of Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open 2011 on Friday.
The Australian managed just 5 games in a one-sided contest, losing the match 2-6, 3-6 in 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Hewitt looked completely off colour in the first set. His serve did not look like a professional’s as he hit only 43 per cent of them, winning just 44 per cent of the points. Hewitt was broken 4 times in the opening set and he eventually lost it 2-6.
The 30-year-old saved 3 of the 7 break points he faced in the first set. On the other hand, Lu saved 4 of the 6 break points he faced in the set.
As compared to the first set, Hewitt played better in the second. However, that was not enough as Lu broke him again and went on to win the set 6-3.
Hewitt could not convert any of the 2 break points he received in the second set. On the other hand, Lu capitalised on the first chance he received to break Hewitt.
The Australian did not hit a single ace and double faulted 5 times in the match. In comparison, Lu fired in 2 aces and hit the same number of double faults.
Hewitt, currently ranked 64th in the world, did not play the last quarter of 2010 due to a hand injury. He started 2011 at the Australian Open, where he lost to David Nalbandian of Argentina in five thrilling sets in the first round.
In comparison, the Taiwanese began the season at the Medibank International Sydney, losing to Gilles Simon in straight sets in the opening round.
The 27-year-old is drawn to meet world number 34 Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in the second round. The Latvian, seeded 31st at the championship, received a bye in the first round.
Gulbis leads Lu 1-0 in their head-to-head record. He defeated the Taiwanese in straight sets in the round of 32 at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles in the only meeting between the two.
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