Tennis: Australian Hewitt, Tomic eliminated from Shanghai Masters

Sydney, Oct 9 (IANS) Australian tennis players Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic both have been knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the first-round matches, local media reported Wednesday.

Hewitt lost 6-4, 6-2 to Italian Andreas Seppi in straight sets Tuesday night, Xinhua reported.

The Australian player grabbed an early break to lead 3-1 but was then totally outplayed by the world number 22.

Seppi will next face Roger Federer, who enjoyed a first-round bye.

At the China Open last week in Beijing, Hewitt suffered a heavy defeat 6-0, 6-2 to another Italian, Fabio Fognini, in the second round.

Tomic also fell at the first hurdle in Shanghai in straight sets, losing 7-5, 6-2 to Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

Chardy will next meet Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who defeated Japanese player Go Soeda 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.