Hewitt sets eyes on sparkling French Open

Jane Barrett

Lleyton Hewitt's bid for a long run in the Rome Masters came to an end on Friday but the loss took none of the shine off his determination to stamp his mark at the French Open later this month.

Falling in the third round of the $2.95 million event to Spain's Alex Corretja 7-6 (7-2) 6-4, the young Australian was as chirpy as a winner in the post-match press conference and had his eyes firmly set on building up more wins.

"Going down to Alex in a tight match when he's definitely one of the best clay court players in the world isn't bad," Hewitt said after the match which was stopped overnight for rain.

"It's been a good start for my clay court preparation...it's nice to know there are still areas of my game that I have to work on to play a guy like that but I feel I can adjust my game," the 20-year-old added.

Hewitt's clay court season last year took him to the fourth round of the French Open but he notched up his best win in April this year, beating clay court king Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten in a Davis Cup tie between Australia and Brazil.

"I believe in myself and believe if I play the way that I did down in Brazil, then I've got a hell of a chance (to win a Grand Slam)," Hewitt said.

NO VAIN HOPE

It is no vain hope but Hewitt admits he has to step up a gear if he is to keep concentrating and competing through a full seven rounds.

But he has already proved he can battle against the odds, beating former number one Pete Sampras in the final of Queen's last year and becoming the youngest player in the open era to take a Grand Slam doubles title at the U.S. Open 2000.

"I feel like if I go out there and work on a couple of things in my game, then coming into the French Open, I'll be confident playing anyone who plays well there," said the Australian number two.

Hewitt's confidence is matched with gritty determination and he knows he has to start matches more aggressively if he's going to climb the French Open ranks.

In his duel with Corretja -- who caused a storm last year when he called Hewitt's aggressive on-court behaviour "strange and abnormal" -- he lost the opening three games but fought back ruggedly to take the first set to a tie break.

Coming back 4-3 down in the second set after rain stopped play overnight, Hewitt played some stunning tennis in blazing sunshine, with opportunities to take each of the last three games.

"Some days you take them all, some days you don't take any. Hopefully when I get to the French Open I'll take everything...I definitely give myself a chance there," he said.