TO a chorus of ‘c’mon Aussie’ Lleyton Hewitt proved little could trump large at Wimbledon.

It’s seven years since Hewitt triumphed at the All England Club but he arrived this week both unseeded and unfancied.

In contrast second round opponent Juan Martin Del Potro – the highest men’s seed to lose so far – is a star on the rise, seeded five with a baseline dominant game that borders on bullying.

But Hewitt, one of the shortest men in the championship, defines pugnacious and there is nothing the Aussie Rules loving 28-yearold loves more than a good old fashioned scrap, especially when he’s the outsider.

And he stepped it up when it mattered to progress in straight sets 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 – taking advantage of the fact Del Potro prefers his courts to be clay or concrete.

Hewitt might be keeping a lid on his expectations but the draw, which opened up when top seed Rafael Nadal withdrew, is gaping wide now.

If he can’t hear opportunity knocking, he should.

This is a gilt-edged chance to reestablish himself among the world’s top players – and he may not get another.

Andy Roddick – who beat Russian Igor Kunitsyn 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 – is the key threat and they aren’t scheduled to clash until the quarter-finals.

Despite his fall down the rankings, Hewitt is now 56th in the world, he has steadfastly refused to concede he couldn’t climb back to the sport’s summit.

However, he hasn’t reached a Grand Slam quarter-final in three years, a fact underlined by the emotion he showed after serving out the match at the first opportunity.

“It’s probably the best I’ve played since the start of 2005,”

admitted Hewitt, who also won the US Open in 2001.

“My motivation has always been there. When I was injured last year, it was tough watching and I knew I wanted to get back to playing.

“I still feel I’m a good enough player to compete here. If the draw opens up and the body feels good, then there is no reason I can’t put a bit of pressure on the guys.”

Hewitt and Del Potro had never previously played but their camps are close and they are regular warm-up partners.

The 20-year old Argentine even calls Hewitt one of his heroes – not that the Australian was ready to give any quarter.

“I’m not surprised I won.

I’ve never played him before but we’ve hit together a few times and I’ve watched him play,” he added “He’s an exceptional player who is going to win Grand Slam tournaments but he’s still a little bit raw.

“I tried to take advantage of that and I played a really smart match.

“The body felt great. I felt I could go out there and compete at 100 percent and lay it all the on the line.”

Meanwhile, Roddick will face close friend Jurgen Meltzer in the third round and he insists he was not surprised by Hewitt’s victory “Lleyton is capable of playing very well on this surface - he’s won the tournament after all,” he said. “However, I’m not looking ahead, I’ve got a hard match next. We’ve known each other for ten years, he’s a good friend and I enjoy his company.

“But I’m a professional and I will leave any courtesy in the locker room.”

Fernando Gonzalez fought back from a set down to take his place in the next round, the 10th seed winning 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 against Argentinian Leonardo Mayer.

Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero also dropped the opening set of his clash with Fabrice Santoro, but eventually came through 6-7 (1/7) 6-3 6-4 6-3 to set up a meeting with Gonzalez.

Stanislas Wawrinka, the 19th seed, found life much easier where he saw off Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina in straight sets.

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