ESPN.com - TENNIS - Both Aussies win in easy straight sets

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Friday, February 9
Both Aussies win in easy straight sets



PERTH, Australia -- Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt demolished the Lapentti brothers, Nicolas and Giovanni, on Friday to give Australia a 2-0 lead over Ecuador after the opening singles matches of their Davis Cup World Group first-round clash.

Showing no signs of the cramp that halted his Australian Open campaign, Rafter mastered Nicolas 6-3, 6-0, 7-5 before Hewitt beat Giovanni 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Australia need to win just one of the remaining three matches to be played over the weekend to advance to a second-round matchup against either Brazil or Morocco.

Despite playing in hot weather at the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club in Perth, Rafter had few problems overcoming Ecuador's highest ranked player, sealing victory in 105 minutes.

Hewitt, Australia's highest ranked player, was just as comfortable in brushing past Giovanni, ranked 920 places below the Adelaide teenager.

The Lapentti brothers will team up Saturday to face Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs in the doubles before lining up against Rafter and Hewitt again in reverse singles on Sunday.

Ecuador reached the world group for the first time after beating Britain 3-2 at Wimbledon last July.

 




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