Lleyton Hewitt breathed fresh life into his 16th season on tour with a victory over world No.15 John Isner to reach the third round of the Indian Wells Masters.
A two-time winner of the tournament back in 2002 and 2003, former world No.1 Hewitt saved all four break points he faced against 2012 finalist Isner en route to a 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-4 victory, setting up a clash with Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka.
On a good day for Australia, countrywoman Samantha Stosur also advanced to the third round.
The seventh-seed Stosur, who enjoyed a first-round bye, beat rising American Madison Keys 6-3 6-4 to set up a clash with China’s No.32 seed Peng Shuai.
Hewitt, ranked 98th in the world, won the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament in the build-up to the Australian Open in January, but he hadn’t previously put together back-to-back wins on the ATP Tour this year.
The 32-year-old Australian beat Czech Lukas Rosol in three sets in the first round.
“It’s nice to beat a big name,” Hewitt said. “John’s obviously a tough match for anyone to play, and especially coming off a good result here last year.”
Isner peppered Hewitt with 18 aces, but was broken twice.
“It’s good just to know you’re thereabouts,” Hewitt said. “Obviously for me the priority are the slams and Davis Cup.
“I try and pride myself on playing well in those matches and the rest of it I try and prepare as well as possible for those tournaments.”
Defending champion and second seed Roger Federer raced into the third round with a 6-2 6-3 win over Denis Istomin.
The Swiss great, whose triumph over Isner in last year’s final gave him a fourth Indian Wells title, needed just 57 minutes to subdue Uzbekistan’s Istomin, ranked 43rd in the world.
“I’m happy to start so strong,” said Federer, who was launching his defence after a first-round bye.
“Istoman can play really well, so I’m pleased I came out and played exceptionally well.”
Federer will face Croatian Ivan Dodig in the third round.
Dodig defeated Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-2, denying Federer a rematch with the French player who shocked him the quarter-finals last month in Rotterdam.