SYDNEY (AP) — Lleyton Hewitt opened his bid for a fifth Sydney International title with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Andreas Seppi.
The 28-year-old Australian advanced to the quarterfinals with the 55-minute victory on Wednesday. He won six straight games, then overcame an early service break in the second and won six more in a row to finish when Seppi double-faulted at match point.
Fourth-seeded Hewitt, a former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion, squared his career record against Seppi at two wins apiece.
“I’ve had match points against him and ended up losing — that scoreline today looks a lot better,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt will meet 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, who ousted sixth-seeded Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-3.