Hewitt labours through in Houston

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:25

The former world number one overcame the Spaniard 6-3 6-4 at River Oaks Country Club in Houston although the straight sets win was far from routine for Hewitt, who struggled to close out the match after leading 5-2 in the second set.

Garcia-Lopez broke Hewitt in the eighth game and held off three match points in the 10th game before the Australian finally secured the 497th victory of his career with a forehand winner.

Hewitt, whose last title came at Las Vegas in March 2007, faces a semi-final against Russia’s Evgeny Korolev, who came from a set down to beat Argentina’s Guillermo Canas 2-6 6-3 6-4 in just over two hours.

Tommy Haas bowed out after going down 6-3 3-6 6-3 to German compatriot Bjorn Phau.

Phau will face Wayne Odesnik, who outlasted John Isner 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7/5) in an all-American quarter-final.

Now get the WORLD’S BEST TENNIS MAGAZINE here