TOKYO — Fabrice Santoro’s first visit to Tokyo ended quickly in a three-set defeat to former world No1 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in the Japan Open yesterday.
The veteran 36-year-old Frenchman, who is due to retire at the end of the season, watched his one-set advantage tumble into a 6- 3 3-6 1-6 loss to the eighth-seeded Australian in the second round.
“I’ve never been in Japan. This year is my last year (on the tour) and I can’t end my career without coming to Tokyo,” said Santoro, ranked 42nd in the world.
“I wanted to visit this country. Even (though) I lost today, it was a good stay here in Tokyo. I really enjoyed to come here and I wanted to win the match today and stay here till the weekend.”
His younger compatriot, Richard Gasquet, said earlier that he had suggested to Santoro that he play in Tokyo before finishing his career. “He played on the tour for 20 years. He played against (André) Agassi, (Pete) Sampras, (Mats) Wilander, (Novak) Djokovic and (Roger) Federer. He played so many players in the 1980s and 1990s and 2000s,” said Gasquet.
“That’s an incredible career, a very long one. And he’s a friend of mine. That’s great.”
Meanwhile, second-seeded Jo- Wilfried Tsonga beat Gasquet 4-6 6-2 6-2 yesterday to advance to the quarterfinals.
Tsonga broke Gasquet to go up 5-2 in the third set and then won when his opponent’s forehand return at 40-30 was long.
Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who knocked out US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the first round, continued his run by defeating Austria’s Jurgen Melzer 4-6 6-2 6-3, while defending champion Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic coasted to a 6-4 6-1 win over Germany’s Andreas Beck.
Roger-Vasselin will take on Hewitt in the quarterfinals. Top- ranked Roger Federer pulled out of the 1,2m event, citing fatigue, along with third-ranked Andy Murray of Britain, who withdrew because of a wrist injury.