HANGING IN: Former champion Lleyton Hewitt beat back a late challenge from Richard Gasquet. — Photo: AFP

NEW YORK: Former champion Lleyton Hewitt outlasted Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 in a pulsating late-night fourth-round battle at the U.S. Open on Monday.

In a match that finished late into the night, the Australian let slip a two-set lead to an inspired Gasquet but hit back to set up a quarterfinal with American Andy Roddick.

"It was hard work for both of us," Hewitt said.

"He is a young guy on the rise. I was very wary coming out here tonight. This is where it all started for me, at Grand Slams, so it's good to get through to another quarterfinal."

Gasquet said he had given it his all. "I'm really tired," he said. "It was a great match for me today. I fought a lot, I did my best but he was too good."

Earlier, gasping for breath after long exchanges, Serena Williams ran out of energy and answers against Amelie Mauresmo.

In a showdown between two women who've been ranked No. 1 and own a total of nine Grand Slam titles, the top-seeded Mauresmo won nine of the last 12 points to beat the unseeded Williams 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 and reach the quarterfinals.

On match point, they engaged in a 24-stroke rally that Mauresmo ended with a sharply angled volley that Williams couldn't get to in time.

Doing it for Andre

The U.S. Open did indeed proceed without Andre Agassi, although a fan cried out, ``Do it for Andre!'' during Andy Roddick's fourth-round match.

Roddick obliged, putting together a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Benjamin Becker, the German qualifier who ended Agassi's career the day before.

Keeping hopes alive

Leander Paes kept Indian hopes alive by moving into the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event, while Sania Mirza's campaign came to an end in the third round of women's doubles.

Sixth seeds Paes and his Czech partner Martin Damm registered a facile 6-4, 6-2 win over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland and Graydon Oliver of the United States to reach the last eight.

Sania, combining with Liezel Huber of South Africa, went down to sixth seeds Czech Kveta Peschke and Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-3, 3-6, 5-7.

In boys' doubles, Rupesh Roy, along with Roberto Maytin of Venezuela, cruised to the second round by posting a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win over home pair of Chase Buchanan and Marcus Fugate.

In boys' singles, 15th seed Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan was toppled by Michal Konecny of the Czech Republic in straight sets 6-1, 6-0. — Agencies

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