Hewitt loses in ATP Masters 1000

Hewitt, titleholder in the city in 2002 when he won the season-ending Masters Cup, had not been back since until this week.

The 28-year-old, who extended his career through hip surgery last year, refused to fully join this week's controversy over the 11-month ATP season, which could be leading to player injuries.

“We're all human and we're going to get injured at times — no one is Superman out there,” said the number 23 who stood outside the Top 100 earlier this season.

“You can't keep putting your body through it all the time at these levels.

“But players know their bodies better than anyone, and especially the top guys. And the Tour needs the top guys. The players shouldn't be obliged to play all the tournaments every week, because they know what it takes to be the best in the world.”

Andy Roddick, out of the event with a mystery knee injury during his first set against Swiss Stan Wawrinka, had been leading the latest campaign, suggesting that the only thing not on the table for exasperated players to make their point would be strike action. He was joined in the verbal sparring with tennis powers by Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo.

Hewitt called number one Roger Federer the master of scheduling to suit himself and his career. The Swiss has opted to miss the three-week Asian season, resting at home with his new family after saying he was exhausted.

Scot Andy Murray is out with a wrist injury, with a return date as yet uncertain. “That's something that Federer has been extremely good at. You shouldn't go out and try and make these guys play every week,” said Hewitt, who is focusing his own season on January's Australian Open.

Two Germans made second-round exits as Robredo, the 14th seed, beat Florian Mayer 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 while Rainer Schuettler advanced as compatriot Tommy Haas fell victim to a right shoulder injury after dropping the first set 6-4. Madrid's Feliciano Lopez defeated Spanish 16th seed David Ferrer 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Czech Tomas Berdych ended the Asian portion of Marat Safin's career as the Russian set to retire in a month lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

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