Hewitt brings Isner down to size

SHANGHAI: Former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt cut big-serving American John Isner down to size with a 6-2, 6-4 victory in the first round of the $3.24 million Shanghai Masters yesterday.

The 28-year-old Australian, back at No 23 in the world after sliding outside the top 100 following hip surgery, is nearly a foot shorter than the 6ft 9in (206cm) Isner but came up with some fine returns to disarm the Floridian.

Isner managed just five aces and racked up a whopping 37 unforced errors, leaving Hewitt to seal a second-round tie against Gael Monfils or Paul-Henri Mathieu when the big American netted after 76 minutes.