Hewitt makes precautionary pullout from mixed doubles

The move, not totally unexpected, left understanding girlfriend Kim Clijsters high and dry. But the 17-year-old Belgian was not annoyed. "I'm a tennis player, I'm focussing on my tournaments and on my career," she said. "It has nothing to do with Lleyton and me (as a couple)." Clijsters said that the controversial fist-pumping style of Hewitt, 19, did not bother her in the least.

"He's fine-that's why I love to see him play tennis," she said. "I really enjoy it when he does all those things. He's a great fighter. I think that is what the crowd loves." One who is certainly not a fan of the Aussie's demeanour is Andre Agassi's coach Brad Gilbert. The former tennis hard man in the 1980s who's own style was characterised in his book "Winning Ugly," said Hewitt is cruising for a bruising from some tennis tour hothead.

"I'm amazed he can keep it up and continue it," Gilbert told a radio talkback programme. "You'd think he'd burn out. I'd be surprised if somebody doesn't whack him in the locker room. If he keeps doing it, somebody will have a go at the locker-room." Hewitt faces a third-round match Saturday against 1997 finalist Carlos Moya of Spain.

(la/dpa)