Young guns try to down stars in Oz

Second seed Roger Federer and home favourite Lleyton Hewitt remain on collision course at the Australian Open, but for them to meet in the last 16 both will have to overcome teenagers with bright futures.

Federer has not yet dropped a set in the tournament and blitzed past American Jeff Morrison 6-2 6-3 6-4 to set up a third round clash with highly-rated Australian Todd Reid.

Hewitt lost the first set to Karol Kucera but held strong and waited for the unpredictable Slovakian to wilt.

Hewitt knew he would – it was the third time in as many weeks the two had played each other – and sure enough Kucera could not maintain the early momentum and the tournament’s number 15 seed ran out a 1-6 6-1 6-4 6-1 winner.

Hewitt, the former US Open and Wimbledon champion, is only 22, but against hotly-tipped 17-year-old Raphael Nadal, a teenager with vast potential, he will be an old-stager.

The Spaniard’s uncle is the former Spanish international defender Miguel Angel Nadal, and it promises to be a massive encounter, with the winner to face either Federer or Reid in the last 16.

Reid, who had never previously won a Grand Slam match, enjoyed the finest day of his career in the Vodafone Arena, battling pain and illness to edge a narrow 6-3 6-4 4-6 6-7 (6/8) 6-4 win over Sargis Sargsian.

World number three Juan Carlos Ferrero prevailed 6-4 7-6 (7/5) 7-5 against Italian Filippo Volandri and will play Joachin Johansson – boyfriend of Hewitt’s sister Jaslyn.

In-form Argentinian David Nalbandian, Australian Mark Philippoussis, 14th seed Jiri Novak and Britain’s Tim Henman all also progressed to the third round.

Reid’s performance was arguably the best of the tournament thus far. He had suffered painful cramps, threw up on court and had to steel himself after sacrificing a two-set lead.

“It was pretty tough out there,” said Reid after a match lasting three hours and 36 minutes.

“It’s by far the best feeling I’ve ever had on a court, to have won that match, especially with the crowd.”

Waiting for Reid is Federer, who is playing as well as he believes is possible.

“The way I played was the way I expected, it was good,” he said.

“I’m feeling good here. The conditions suit me. The game has been solid so far.”

Meanwhile, Nadal beat Frenchman Thierry Ascione in four sets and will have the chance to prove his immense potential against Hewitt, who is wary.

“There are not too many 17-year-olds in the draw and I’m sure he’ll be in the top 10 in a few years time,” he said.

“He’s a very talented young player. I’ve got to go up another level.”

Nalbandian continued his impressive run of form with a 6-0 6-1 6-3 victory over Germany’s Florian Mayer and will play veteran Wayne Ferreira.

“Right now I think I’m very good,” he said.

“I feel so good this year. This tournament I feel great.”

Philippoussis won through a highly-entertaining evening match with Fabrice Santoro, 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2, and will now play Croatian teenager Mario Ancic.

“Santoro is an extremely difficult opponent, so unorthodox and you don’t know what he’s going to do,” said Philippoussis afterwards.

“I am happy the way I played. I came out a bit flat and he took advantage of that but as the match went on I got my timing.”

Philippoussis’ Davis Cup team-mate Wayne Arthurs was downed by Spain’s Albert Costa in an incredible five setter that lasted four hours and 18 minutes.

Arthurs eventually cracked to lose 7-6 (7/5) 5-7 4-6 6-4 8-6 and took little pleasure from such a momentous match.

“I had it in my grasp and didn’t take it. To be out there four hours and to come off a loser, it’s not a good feeling,” he said.

Costa will face Hicham Arazi, while Novak beat his Czech compatriot Jan Vacek 6-2 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 and will face Romanian Andrei Pavel.

Henman beat Radek Stepanek in four sets and will meet dangerous Argentinian Guillermo Canas who had caused the only casualty amongst the seeds today with victory over his compatriot Agustin Calleri in five gripping sets.

Canas eventually sealed the win 6-1 4-6 2-6 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 in three hours 17 minutes.