Murray marches on, Hewitt back to best

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London: Andy Murray made light work of a tricky tea-time assignment at Wimbledon on Thursday while Lleyton Hewitt, the man who has already lifted the trophy the Scot so cherishes, rolled back the years to cause a big upset.

In front of 15,000 Centre Court fans and thousands watching the match on Henman Hill's giant screen, Murray devoured Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-2 7-5 6-3 to clear another hurdle towards becoming Britain's first men's singles champion in 73 years.

Murray was joined in the third round by dogged Australian Hewitt, the 2002 champion, who produced a vintage display to dispatch fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.

Women's third seed Venus Williams, who along with her sister Serena has collected sackfuls of silverware here, powered past Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko to remain firmly on course for a hat-trick of singles titles.

The American five-time champion, who played with a strapping on her left knee, powered into the third round with a 6-3 6-2 victory and was joined in the last 32 by Russia's world number one Dinara Safina and French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.

DAZZLING MAURESMO

On another day of record-breaking crowds mercurial Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, champion here three years ago, also progressed, dazzling the sun-roasted fans on Court Three with a comfortable defeat of Kristina Kucova.

Argentina's Del Potro, occupying the place in the draw vacated by injured champion Rafael Nadal, was given a lesson in grasscourt play by Hewitt who posted a 6-3 7-5 7-5 victory.

Hewitt, backed by a vocal section of Australian fans decked out in yellow and green, moved his opponent all across the court and even flicked some lobs over the towering 20-year-old.

"It was a big win. I wanted to beat a top five guy," said former world number one Hewitt, who has suffered with hip problems and now resides at 56 in the rankings.

"It was a lot of fun being out there. I guess, you know, kind of underdog out there a little bit as well."

Del Potro, who looked about as natural on grass as a giraffe on an ice rink, was gracious in defeat.

"He played a very good match," the Argentine told reporters. "He's one of my idols. I said to him you're in very good shape again, so I'm happy for you and good luck."

GINGER WIGS

Thousands bit their nails on Tuesday as Murray battled to victory over American Robert Kendrick in the first round.