Lleyton Hewitt suffers injury woe

General / Editor / 24 March 2007 /

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Lleyton Hewitt has been forced to withdraw from the Sony Ericsson Open because of a back injury.
The Australian star was due to face Raemon Sluiter in the first round, but the back problem he suffered at Indian Wells last week has forced him to pull out.

The former world number one admitted: "I'm disappointed but my back has not come up as well as I'd have liked, which is frustrating."

Hewitt insists he was left with little option but to withdraw from the Miami tournament incase he made things worse and was forced into a longer spell on the sidelines.
He added: "That's the last thing I need at the moment. I don't want to go on the court knowing that I can't compete at my best."

Hewitt was replaced in the draw by American Robert Kendrick, who beat Sluiter 6-4 6-4 in the second-round match.
Roger Federer remains the firm favourite (1.51) to land the latest Masters title, with punters seeing Rafael Nadal as his closest rival (7.2).

Andy Roddick is available to back at 22 while Andy Murray is trading at 28, with Tommy Haas the next best at 46.

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