Hewitt scraps to five-set win over former champion Gaudio

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PARIS (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt did not let the reputation of a former champion stand in his way as he scrambled to a 4-6 3-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 victory over Gaston Gaudio in the second round of the French Open on Thursday.

The Australian 14th seed recovered from two sets down for only the fourth time in his nine-year professional career as he shoved Gaudio to his earliest exit from Roland Garros since 2001.

Gaudio, who had triumphed in 2004 before Rafael Nadal began his reign, looked well on his way to stringing together back-to-back victories for only the second time this season.

But Hewitt's famed resilience was back on show as he wore down his 72nd-ranked opponent in three hours 28 minutes and sealed victory with a thundering crosscourt winner.

He will next face 20th-seeded Finn Jarkko Nieminen.

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