Hewitt returns in Hopman Cup

01-06-2009 | AFP

The former champion was impressive in his defeat of Nicolas Kiefer

Panama Star Hewitt was impressive in his 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Nicolas Kiefer but the German took his revenge with a thrilling match tie-break win in the decisive mixed doubles encounter 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 10-5.

"It has been close to five months since I played a match and it has been a long time coming," said Hewitt, 27, after the singles match.

"It was a great way to start the year. He is a really tough opponent, it was a matter of me hanging in there and weathering the storm, and in the end I was able to turn the match around.

"It takes a lot of courage to come back from surgery, and lose the first set in a close tie-break and then win the second third convincingly, it is a good start." Hewitt ended 2008 ranked 68th, the first time he had been outside the top 50 since 1998. He was playing for the first time since his operation after the Beijing Olympics.