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Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt launched his American hardcourt season by defeating Donald Young 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the $1.4 million Legg Mason Tennis Classic on Monday.
Playing for the first time since reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Hewitt broke 162-ranked Young's serve five times in a row and six overall to overwhelm the 20-year-old American.
Despite the cosy straight-sets victory, Hewitt had trouble shaking off the rust. He landed just 39 percent of his first serves and was broken three times by the 20-year-old Young, formerly the world's top-ranked junior.
The 28-year-old Hewitt, tournament champion in 2004 but unseeded this year, will play 15th seed Dudi Sela of Israel in the second round.
In other matches, Russian Mikhail Youzhny needed one hour and 40 minutes to oust American Robert Kendrick 7-5, 3-6, 6-1, while Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia landed only 42 percent of his first serves in his 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Philipp Petzschner of Germany.
Top seed and three-times former champion Andy Roddick will play his opening match Wednesday against either Benjamin Becker of Germany or American Robby Ginepri.
