Former champ Hewitt cruises into second round of US open

LEYTON HEWITT, the 2001 champion, cruised into the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows as he thrashed Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3 6-2 6-2.

The sixth-seeded Australian had struggled in his final two warm-up events but bounced back in impressive fashion against Hanescu, who was making his US Open debut.

Fifth seed Guillermo Coria of Argentina raced into the second round with a 6-4 6-3 6-1 triumph over fellow countryman Mariano Puerta.