LONDON (Reuters) - Andy Murray made light work of a tricky tea-time assignment at Wimbledon on Thursday while Lleyton Hewitt, the man who has already lifted the trophy the Scot so cherishes, rolled back the years to cause a big upset.
In front of 15,000 Center Court fans and thousands watching the match on Henman Hill`s giant screen, Murray devoured Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-2 7-5 6-3 to clear another hurdle toward becoming Britain`s first men`s singles champion in 73 years.
Murray was joined in the third round by dogged Australian Hewitt, the 2002 champion, who produced a vintage display to dispatch fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.
Women`s third seed Venus Williams, who along with her sister Serena has collected sackfuls of silverware here, powered past Ukraine`s Kateryna Bondarenko to remain firmly on course for a hat-trick of singles titles.
The American five-time champion, who played with a strapping on her left knee, powered into the third round with a 6-3 6-2 victory and was joined in the last 32 by Russia`s world number one Dinara Safina and French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.
DAZZLING MAURESMO
On another day of record-breaking crowds mercurial Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, champion here three years ago, also progressed, dazzling the sun-roasted fans on Court Three with a comfortable defeat of Kristina Kucova.
Argentina`s Del Potro, occupying the place in the draw vacated by injured champion Rafael Nadal, was given a lesson in grasscourt play by Hewitt who posted a 6-3 7-5 7-5 victory.
Hewitt, backed by a vocal section of Australian fans decked out in yellow and green, moved his opponent all across the court and even flicked some lobs over the towering 20-year-old.
"It was a big win. I wanted to beat a top five guy," said former world number one Hewitt, who has suffered with hip problems and now resides at 56 in the rankings.
"It was a lot of fun being out there. I guess, you know, kind of underdog out there a little bit as well."
Del Potro, who looked about as natural on grass as a giraffe on an ice rink, was gracious in defeat.
"He played a very good match," the Argentine told reporters. "He`s one of my idols. I said to him you`re in very good shape again, so I`m happy for you and good luck."
GINGER WIGS
Thousands bit their nails on Tuesday as Murray battled to victory over American Robert Kendrick in the first round. Continued...
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