Hewitt humbles Isner in Shanghai

Former world number one 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 on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Australian, back at number 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.

"He's had a lot of success earlier in the year ... beating guys like (Andy) Roddick over five sets so I knew it was going to be a tough match," said Hewitt.

"It's a matter of just taking your chances when you get into it against those guys, and I did that exceptionally well today."

Hewitt, who had one of the biggest wins of his career in Shanghai at the 2002 Masters Cup, believes he could still win another grand slam title to add to his US Open and Wimbledon triumphs.

"I've got better as the year has gone on," he said. "My hip's got a lot stronger and better as well.

"I think in the majors this year, that's when I've played my best tennis this year, and it's taken the best guys in the world to beat me in all four majors this year."

Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko was the first man to reach the third round when he beat fellow Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-4 6-2 with a minimum of fuss on the grandstand court newly built for this year's tournament.

Davydenko reached the final of the last version of the Masters Cup tour championship here last year and is in the running for one of three spots still up for grabs at the new season finale in London next month.

Tommy Haas, the 15th seed, also beat a compatriot to take his place in the second round, the 7-6 6-4 win over Benjamin Becker earning him a tie against another German, Rainer Schuettler.