Legg Mason Classic

Washington, July 31- August 6 2006

Lleyton was defeated in the quarterfinal by Arnaud Clement 7-6(1) 6-4

LLEYTON Hewitt was left to lament missed opportunities after being defeated by France's Arnaud Clement to be bundled out of the quarter-finals of the Washington Classic yesterday.
Clement stunned the third seed 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 to book a semi-final meeting with another former world No. 1, unseeded Russian Marat Safin, who was too good for South African Wesley Moodie 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9). It was Clement's first victory over Hewitt in eight matches. Clement raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set before Hewitt rallied to take the next four games. But the Australian failed to close out the set, losing his serve at 5-4.
"I fought so hard to get back," said the 12th-ranked Hewitt.
"If I could have gotten that first set . . . under my belt then I would have had a lot of momentum coming back from 4-1. I gave him a little extra wind out there to hang in there."
Clement refused to allow Hewitt into the first-set tiebreak, taking it 7-1. Clement broke Hewitt in the fifth game of the second set to take a 3-2 lead and serve out to take the match.
"I had so many chances in the first set," Hewitt said.
"I had 12 break points. Against the best players, you've got to take those chances when you get them."
Clement's triumph over Hewitt was a welcome lift for the Frenchman, whose overall record this year is only 13-14. "It's very special for me having lost to him the first seven matches," said the 28-year-old Clement who is ranked 57th in the world. "We have similar games but he is always a little bit better than me. We've played a couple of tough matches, but he was always a little better at the important moments. Today was different."

3rd round defeated Denis Gremelmayr 6-1, 6-4

 Third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt beat Germany's Denis Gremelmayr 6-1, 6-4 on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Hewitt, who held off Vince Spadea in a 2 1/2 -hour match Wednesday night, will face France's Arnaud Clement on Friday.
"I played a bit better today," said Hewitt, the Australian star who won the Legg Mason in his last appearance in 2004. "I had my rhythm a bit better, and I felt like I was able to put pressure on his service game throughout the first set. I felt like it was a step in the right direction after yesterday."

2nd round defeated Vince Spadea 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4

Third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt escaped a near upset against Vince Spadea, advancing to the third round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic with a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory Wednesday night.

"I felt like it was sometimes tougher winning points on my serve than it was on his serve," said Hewitt, the 2004 Legg Mason champion.

Spadea also loss to Hewitt in the first round in Sydney in January.

"I had a lot of chances in that match, and it was a tough three-setter, too," Spadea said. "I just haven't played a lot of matches. I don't think I'm match-fit or match-tough. God for bid that was in the sun today. But Hewitt looked pretty strong, I know that fitness is one of his best attributes."

1st round bye