The Roland Garros stadium has never been a happy hunting ground for Hewitt but he has renewed confidence ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year.

"I think every year I'm getting better and better on clay," Hewitt said at the World Team Cup, where he hoped to take Australia into Saturday's final.

"I've already done better in the (clay) tournaments I've played in this year compared with last, but I still need to improve before France," added Hewitt, who won the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002.

"I've had another year of playing the best players on clay. I always find it a test to play on clay, but I am learning and I think it is showing in how I play the game and how I feel on court."

Hewitt had a difficult 2003 despite winning two ATP Tour events. He failed to progress past the quarter-final of any Grand Slam, was beaten in the first round at Wimbledon as defending champion and slipped down the rankings, losing his place as Australian number one to Mark Philippoussis.

TWO TITLES

Having put 2003 down to experience, the 23-year-old Hewitt has already won two titles this year, although the wins in Sydney and Rotterdam have been countered by the disappointment of a fourth-round exit at the Australian Open in January.

Despite his up-and-down form, Hewitt lies sixth in the 2004 ATP Race and demonstrated his mettle on clay at the recent Hamburg Masters, where only a top-class performance from world number one Roger Federer stopped him progressing to the final.

Perhaps more important is the fact that Hewitt appears to have rediscovered the self-confidence and enjoyment of the game that drove him to the top of the world rankings in 2001 aged just 20.

"I didn't win too many tournaments last year but I don't let that worry me because I am more comfortable this year so far," said Hewitt.

"I don't feel I am playing or doing anything different this year to last -- there's not a huge difference other than that I've had another year of experience."