Hewitt hurt by Argentine

Unseeded Gaston Gaudio restored normal service to Argentine tennis at Roland Garros in Paris today as he easily ended Lleyton Hewitt's quarter-final hopes 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr 56min.

On the same centre court that witnessed Tim Henman's remarkable serve and volley win over Juan Ignacio Chela last night to prove that Argentine players would not totally dominate the last four at this Grand Slam, Hewitt found it impossible to win from the back of the court.

That is where the South Americans like to stay and fire off the big ground strokes that allow them to win matches on clay.

Hewitt does not have Henman's serving variety or ability at the net and makes up for these weaknesses by running himself into the ground chasing lost causes.

The cold weather only contributed to Hewitt's feelings of unease in a match that offered the chance to face either three-times champion Gustavo Kuerten, the 28th seed from Brazil, or eighth ranked David Nalbandian, of Argentina, in the semi-finals. In their quarter-final Nalbandian took the first set 6-2 but Kuerten hit back winning the second 6-3.

Hewitt, who has two Slam titles to his name compared to just two tour titles for No44 ranked Gaudio, tried a couple of trademark "come ons" but there was none of excitement that normally accompanies these shouts.

The barely half-full centre court - populated by fans in large jumpers and winter coats - was a sombre place and only a 25-year-old Argentine appeared to be having fun.