Washington - Lleyton Hewitt began his buildup to the US Open by starting his North American hard-court summer with a 7-5, 6-2 defeat Monday of former hope Donald Young for a place in the second round of the Legg Mason Classic. The 2004 champion in the US capital hammered the serve of Young with five consecutive breaks to make his winning statement after last taking Andy Roddick to five sets a month ago in their Wimbledon quarter-final.
Roddick, top seed at the tournament, will make his own return to action Wednesday when he opens play after a bye, facing the winner from compatriot Robby Ginepri and Germany's Benjamin Becker.
The number five is still coming to grips with his dramatic loss to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final, his third failed attempt at the crown - all lost to the Swiss superstar.
"I didn't realize the magnitude of interest in the match back in the US," Roddick said. "It was nice to see that level."
The quick-fire adopted Texan, while admitting the defeat at the All England Club stung him badly, insisted that he's not much for dwelling on the past.
Roddick would still be keen to again test his 2-19 record against the Swiss master: "I'll always want a rematch with world number one Federer. That means you are pretty far along in the tournament."
Roddick kept some of his feelings under wraps regarding the days after the defeat, when he suddenly found a hip flexor injury that has kept him on the sidelines for the last four weeks, including Davis Cup action the week after Wimbledon.
But his focus is looking forward to the start of the US Open - his only Grand Slam title in 2003.
"I have a hard time looking too far ahead. And I don't sit around crying in my Cheerios about losses, either," Roddick said.
"I have confidence going into the Open from being able to navigate a major event like Wimbledon. That can only help on a short-term basis. Noting is guaranteed, but I'd love nothing better than to go on another (winning) run."
Hewitt will next play Israeli Dudi Sela in the second round. The 28-year-old Australian, ranked 42nd, claimed the 27th title of a career that includes US Open and Wimbledon titles by winning on clay four months ago in Houston.
Elsewhere, Canadian Frank Dancevic, heading for the top 100 again after a final against Sam Querrey last month in Indianapolis, Indiana, defeated Santiago Giraldo of Colombia 6-4, 6-3, while Russian Mikhail Youzhny beat US player Robert Kendrick 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.
