Lleyton Hewitt from Australia was knocked out by Jose Acasuso from Argentina in the second round after enjoying a first round bye. After the match, Lleyton explained that he had been recieving treatment for a hip injury that restricted his movement.

The top two tennis players fro the men’s, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, are just about destinied to meet in the finals. But, as we know, in the tennis world, anything can HAPPEN!

The 26-year-old Swiss is a three-time champion at Indian Wells Tennis Garden but has lost to Murray twice in three career meetings, most recently at this month’s Dubai Championships. Federer, edging his way back to full fitness after contracting glandular fever at the end of last year, was beaten 6-7 6-3 6-4 by Murray in the opening round in Dubai. Murray, 20, has won ATP titles this year in Doha and Marseille while Federer’s only other tournament appearance came at the Australian Open where he lost in the semifinals.

However, they both face tricky routes to reach the last eight at Indian Wells. Federer, who has a bye into the second round, takes on Argentina’s Sergio Roitman or Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain in his opening match. Last year, he lost at the same stage 6-3 4-6 6-0 to Argentina’s Guillermo Canas. The Swiss is seeded to meet Spaniard Nicolas Almagro followed by Tommy Robredo, also of Spain, in the fourth round. Murray, seeded 11th, will start against either Austrian Jurgen Melzer or former world number one Marat Safin of Russia in the second round. Should he clear that hurdle, the Scot is likely to meet Croat Ivo Karlovic before big-serving American Andy Roddick lies in wait in round four. Roddick returns to the US in prime form, having triumphed in Dubai. Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who won last year’s title with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Serb Novak Djokovic, has been seeded second with Djokovic third and Russian Nikolay Davydenko fourth.

In the women’s draw, world number two Ana Ivanovic of Serbia is the top seed with Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova second, Serbian Jelena Jankovic third and Maria Sharapova fourth. Russian Sharapova, who claimed her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, is seeded to meet 2007 Pacific Life Open champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in the last eight.

The women’s competition starts on Wednesday with the men joining the fray the following day.

Bye!

The Courts

Sydney’s premier tennis tournament, the Medibank International, will have a new surface in 2008.

All 16 courts at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre are being resurfaced with Plexicushion, a cushioned acrylic surface which has received world-wide support from leading players, including four-time winner of the Medibank International Lleyton Hewitt.

Tournament Director Craig Watson expects the new surface will attract an impressive world class field of men’s and women’s players to the 2008 Medibank International which will be played from January 6 – 12, 2008.

“Traditionally the Medibank International has attracted the world’s top men’s and women’s players and we’re expecting particularly strong fields for the 2008 tournament,” said Craig Watson. “The players will be keen to hit out on the Plexicushion surface as the ideal preparation for the first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open which will also be played on Plexicushion for the first time next year.”

Before the bobcats moved onto centre court today, Australia’s stars of the future – athletes from the High Performance Academy – had the honour of the final hit out on the court’s Rebound Ace surface in a training session with National Coach Wally Masur.

“It was a big thrill for the kids because they have great memories of seeing their tennis idols play on this showcase court, firstly at the 2000 Olympic Games and subsequently at the Medibank International,” Wally Masur said.

Wally Masur said the Plexicushion surface will benefit the development of junior players.

“The advantages of the Plexicushion surface are its consistency in pace and bounce; its suitability to Australian conditions because it retains less heat; and its comfort which lessens the risk of injury,” Wally Masur said. “This is not only a great initiative for the Medibank International, it will benefit players of all levels. The main advantage for junior players is that the consistency of the Plexicushion makes it an easier surface to play on which will help develop skills at a young age.”