Hewitt holds off Ebden in all-Aussie clash

INDIAN WELLS, Mar 8 (AFP): Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt survived an "awkward" all-Aussie encounter at the BNP Paribas Open Thursday, holding off Matthew Ebden 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-3.
Hewitt, who won back-to-back Indian Wells titles in 2002 and 2003, said all of his clashes with younger compatriots feel awkward now that he's something of an elder statesman in the sport, closing in on his 600th career match win.
"It's not something I look forward to at all now, playing the other Aussies," Hewitt said. "I'm trying to help these guys out now ... I hit with these guys all the time."
In fact, Hewitt had to cancel a planned practice session with Ebden when the two were drawn to face each other in the first round.
The victory over the 26-year-old Ebden was number 599 for Hewitt's career. He'll get a chance to reach number 600 against 17th-seeded South African Kevin Anderson in the second round, but Hewitt places little stock in the milestone.