INDIAN WELLS, California, March 12 (Reuters) - Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt battled his way to a 7-6 6-3 victory over Czech Jan Hernych in the first round of the ATP event at Indian Wells on Thursday.
The Australian, still trying to get back to full fitness after hip surgery in August of last year, has slumped to 77th in the rankings, 14 places below Hernych.
Hewitt, who will meet 17th seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the second round, said he still believed he was capable of getting back towards the top.
“When I decided to have the operation, I knew that it would take around nine to 12 months to be fully fit again,” he said.
“(At) the French Open and Wimbledon last year I probably couldn’t have hit the ball any better, even though I lost to (David) Ferrer (in Paris) and Roger (Federer).
“So I didn’t feel too far away. You’ve got to be able to do that week in week out, and then if you get the draw that opens up, anything can happen. The ranking doesn’t bother me.”
In Thursday’s other action, Frenchman Marc Gicquel beat Italian Simone Bolelli 7-5 6-3 to set up a meeting with second seed Federer.
Latvian Ernests Gulbis, Michael Llodra of France and German Philipp Kohlschreiber also advanced to round two.
Top seed Rafael Nadal meets the winner of Friday’s match between South African Kevin Anderson and Germany’s Michael Berrer.
(Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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