There's life in the old dog yet

Lleyton Hewitt admits he feels right at home in the US Open old boys club, practising with fellow 30-something Roger Federer and facing another, Mikhail Youzhny, for a place in the quarterfinals.

The Australian first played the tournament back in 1999 and won the doubles in 2000 before collecting the singles title with a victory over Pete Sampras in 2001.

Federer first won in New York in 2000 and Youzhny in 2001. However, all that longevity pales in comparison to Tommy Haas, the 35-year-old German, who first played the season's concluding major in 1996 and was back for a 16th time before Youzhny ended his hopes in Sunday's third round.

Despite being 32 years old and almost having his career ruined by an injured foot that was only saved by a radical bone operation, Hewitt is revelling in his twilight years as a professional tennis player.

He has even shared a couple of gruelling training sessions with Federer, also 32, at Flushing Meadows.

"Roger and I have hit quite a bit the last couple of years. I've had some really good practice sessions. Once he was coming here, I just got in touch to see if he wanted to hit some balls," said father-of-three Hewitt.

"I was surprised that Roger was here on Monday morning and wanted to hit at 10am. We hit for two hours, then another two hours in the afternoon."

Hewitt, a former world No1 and Wimbledon champion in 2002, reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 30th time in his career on Sunday, with a 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-1 win over Russia's Evgeny Donskoy.

The Australian also knocked out sixth seed and 2009 champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round. He last reached the fourth round in New York in 2006, when he went on to the quarterfinals.

"It's always great to come back to New York, where it all started for me. I have played some of my best tennis here," he said.

The world No66 will face 31-year-old Youzhny in a match in which he will start as the favourite, having beaten the explosive Russian five times out of six.

"We obviously want to keep playing. We love the game so much," said Hewitt. "At least I know who I'm playing. Half the draw I don't know any more."

Federer said: "He's been one of my biggest rivals on tour, so I always like to see him do well, particularly here under the lights in New York. He deserves it.,"