Wednesday 9 April 2014 05:30, UK
Lleyton Hewitt secured his place in the second round of the US Clay Court Championship but only after being given a fright by qualifier Peter Polansky.
Hewitt, seeded seventh, needed three sets to see off the world No 135 from Canada, eventually triumphing 6-4 3-6 6-4 in blustery conditions.
"You’re never going to play clean tennis out there today, so it was a matter of finding a way to get through," Hewitt, who will now face Sam Querrey, told the atpworldtour.com.
"And obviously he played three matches on these courts to get through qualifying, so he was confident as well. In the end I was just happy to get the win."
Benjamin Becker also needed three set to progress, with the German eventually toppling Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-1 1-6 6-3.
A trio of Americans came through their opening round matches in Houston – with Steve Johnson, Michael Russell and Donald Young all winning.
Johnson overcame compatriot Denis Kudla 6-3 7-6 (7-4), Russell edged out Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-3 7-6 (7-2) and Young crushed Ryan Harrison 6-0 6-1.
