Hewitt’s very first game at the Roland Garros was when he was a teenager, almost fifteen years ago. He was then the world number 41 and was badly beaten by old hand Martin Rodriguez in a 5 set round. Last Tuesday he again faced defeat to Carlos Berlocq, an Argentinian clay court champ, with the scaore of 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

This defeat marked 3 consecutive losses for Hewitt in the first round of the French Open. The player now at thirty three has always made it to the final, at most of the majors, unlike this one.

This year again, the enduring Aussie number 1, was much more optimistic about the following grasscourt season, while he seems extremely determined to put on his very best in the ever more challenging scenario. He finished his swing on the claycourt with a record of 1-5.

The first set for the thirty three year old was quite positive, and Hewitt played quite aggressively with the ball while finishing quite sharply at the net. However he was shortly broken at the beginning of the second set, as the momentum gradually shifted towards the Argentinean. Berlocq’s repertoire consisted of a series of stunning backhands, which upset Hweitt’s game play.

The following sets, 3^rd and 4^th followed quite a similar pattern and the Australian dropped his opening service in both the sets. He tried hard to catch up post the drop, however failed miserably. However there was no lack of effort from his end as he kept on putting his cent percent and exhorted encouraging statement at times.

However this is Hewitt’s least favored court, but he kept on the gameplay till the very last end, striking hard, however he failed to make a comeback miserably post the fourth set.