extract from Rome masters official site May 6 after loss to Pavel in 2nd rd. "After Hewitt's loss, the two-time major champion complained that he did not have as much time between matches as his opponent. He was also angry that the match was relegated to an outside court without a full team of linesmen.

``One of the worst scheduling things I've ever seen,'' Hewitt said.

Tournament director Sergio Palmieri said he ``understood'' how Hewitt felt, but that the schedule was made by a small committee -- including a player representative -- and when the schedule ``is done, it's done.''

Hewitt outlasts Italian wildcard

May 6, 2004

ROME, May 5 AFP - Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt fought back from a set down to defeat Italian wild card Andreas Seppi 5-7 7-5 6-3 in their rain-delayed first round match at the Rome Masters today.

Hewitt in action against Andreas Seppi.

The game was suspended late Tuesday with Seppi leading 7-5 3-3 before heavy rain brought play to an end at the Foro Italico. Seeded 15, Hewitt showed plenty of character to save his skin after being outfought in the first set by the 20-year-old trying to win his first career ATP match in five attempts.

Seppi appeared to have lost the momentum he enjoyed last night and after allowing Hewitt to square at one set all, he fluffed an easy smash at the net to give the Australian an early break and a 2-0 lead in the decider.
Seppi had two break points in the ninth game but failed to capitalise on his advantage and Hewitt held his nerve to close out a gripping match.

More at home on hard courts than on clay, Hewitt will play unseeded Romanian Andrei Pavel in his second round match later on Wednesday. Hewitt, who lost to Germany's Rainer Schuettler in the third round at Monte Carlo last month, said his more aggressive approach paid dividends.

"I came out here and put pressure on him right from the start," said the 2002 Wimbledon champion.
"I lost a little bit of confidence in my first few games last night and wasn't attacking as much as I should have."

Hewitt, whose first Grand Slam triumph was at the USA Open in 2001, saluted his younger opponent who enjoyed plenty of home support in the Italian capital.
"He hasn't played that many big matches but he's got nothing to lose coming out here playing in this kind of tournament - he's got a good future ahead of him," said the 23-year-old, who is engaged to Belgian tennis star Kim Clijsters.

Seppi said he wished the game had continued last night when he looked to be on the verge of causing an upset.
"When we finished yesterday I started thinking too much about the match, about my lead and about tactics, rather than staying relaxed," he said.
"I was too tense today, whereas yesterday I was calm and just played my natural game."

ROME (AP) — Australian Lleyton Hewitt came from a set down Wednesday to beat Italian wild card Andreas Seppi 5-7, 7-5, 6-3, and reach the second round of the Italian Open.

The match began late Tuesday but was suspended due to rain with Seppi leading by a set, and the second tied at 3-3.
Hewitt, seeded 15 for the Rome clay court tournament, looked in trouble before the rain intervened.

"I lost a little bit of confidence in my first few games last night and I did not play as attacking as I should have," Hewitt said.

The Australian, a former No. 1 player, appeared fresher after the overnight break, winning the first two games then pulling away in the third set.

Seppi, ranked 216 in the world, was seeking his first victory on the ATP tour.

The two players — who both wore baseball caps backward over long blond hair — displayed similar playing styles, with quick feet and aggressive ground strokes.

Boosted by home support at the start, Seppi lost his confidence as the match wore on.

"I thought too much about this match, the tactics, how to play," said Seppi. "I was a lot more nervous this morning."

Hewitt avoids tragic hotel fire


Lleyton Hewitt was due to arrive at the five-star Parco dei Principi in Rome just hours after fire ripped through the luxury hotel, killing three people and forcing the evacuation of many of the world's best tennis players.

The blaze started about 5am on Saturday (local time).
Andy Roddick helped guests out of harm's way. Thailand's Paradorn Scrichaphan received an urgent phone call from his father, who was staying on a different floor, telling him to get outside. Marat Safin's equipment was destroyed. Dutchman Sjeng Schalken had to be plucked from the roof by a firefighters' crane.

An American man attempted to escape his fifth-floor room by jumping off his balcony using a rope made of bed sheets. He fell to his death.

Hewitt had been expected to book into the hotel later that day, the manager of the Parco dei Principi told AAP. Instead, Australia's former world No.1 and other players were directed towards the nearby Sheraton.

The hotel manager said Hewitt's Davis Cup teammate Mark Philippoussis had not been booked in at the Parco dei Principi. Hewitt and Philippoussis are in Rome for the Italian Open, which starts on Monday.

Two Canadian guests also died, but Association of Tennis Professionals spokesman Nicola Arzani told AP that no players were hurt.

She said several of the "really scared" players were evacuated and stood outside for several hours until they were taken to the nearby Austrian Embassy. Max Mirnyi was wrapped in a blanket, wearing only a pair of shorts. The players were allowed back to the hotel to retrieve belongings.

"Roddick helped people onto the roof," said Arzani.

"Several of the players had a real fright. I talked to a few of them this morning and I know that Safin, his trainer and his girlfriend were quite shaken up. A lot of people lost equipment. Safin lost a lot, he couldn't practice."

Schrichaphan's father and coach, Chanachai, left his room so quickly he left behind his luggage and passport, which were destroyed.

"I was awakened by noises but didn't bother about it until I smelt smoke in my room," he told Thailand's The Nation newspaper.

"When I opened the door, I saw fire, so I grabbed a towel to cover my mouth and rushed to the lobby.

"Paradorn was sleeping when I called him to get downstairs."

The Canadian couple died from asphyxiation, investigators said. The deceased 58-year-old American man's wife reportedly used the emergency staircase and escaped unharmed.

A minute's silence for the three victims was held before qualifying matches began.