Rotterdam Tournament Feb 18-24 2008

Round 1 defeated by Andreas Seppi 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7/4)

Lleyton Hewitt's third European indoor tournament in nearly three-and-a-half years has lasted one round and three hours.The former number one, whose history of ankle injuries has disrupted his tennis travel plans in recent seasons, missed on a match point as he lost to Italian Andreas Seppi 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7/4) at the Rotterdam Open first round overnight.

Hewitt last played indoors in Europe a year ago in Marseille, winning a round.Before that he last appeared under a roof on the continent at Paris in November, 2004.

"This is my only indoor event, so it's not like I need indoor matches. I didn't come here expecting a whole heap," said Hewitt, who is scheduled to play in just over a week outdoors in Las Vegas, where he will defend the last title he won.The Australian's record in tie-breakers has come under scrutiny, with Hewitt now having lost seven of his last eight deciders.

Seppi turned the tide in his win thanks to top tie-break play.

"I have the same mindset every year - to win," said former Wimbledon and US Open champion Hewitt. "I would have liked to have gotten a few rounds here, but I have to forget about it now.

"When you're at your peak, you game's on auto-pilot. You manage to get over the line in matches like this. "When you haven't had a lot of tight matches, you hang back waiting for things to happen."

Hewitt, who won against Marcos Baghdatis at the Australian Open in a match which ended at a record 4:40 am in Melbourne, said he was still pleased with his form at his home major where he reached the fourth round.

"I played well at the Open. I absolutely think I can get back to the top five. You just need a bit of luck, you need a break," he said."But once you get a quarter-final or semi-final at a slam, the floodgates open."

-AFP