London - Australian Lleyton recorded his 100th grasscourt victory on Wednesday but one of the game's most tenacious warriors landed a bloodless win after Kazakhstan's Evgeny Korolev retired with a suspected shoulder injury.
The 2002 Wimbledon champion comfortably won the first two sets 6-4 6-4 and was leading 3-0 in the third when his opponent called it a day.
The 29-year-old Hewitt is playing with all his old flair, his confidence riding high after he ended a 15-match losing streak to defeat Roger Federer in the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Halle.
Hewitt, the most successful active player on grass in terms of match wins, was fast out of the blocks.
"Yeah, it was good, I got off to a good start," he said.
After committing just seven unforced errors, he said: "I played a clean match, a smart match."
The diminutive Australian was also relieved to have plenty left in the tank after his match was cut short. "Today didn't take a whole lot out of me which is good.
"Moving forward, if you can keep doing that, putting yourself in a position where you feel good in the second week, it makes life a lot easier."
Hewitt was cheered on as usual by The Fanatics fan club - an Aussie-style "barmy army" who chanted "Here We Go Lleyton" and got the sun-baked crowd on Court One to join in.
Next in line for Hewitt is Frenchman Gael Monfils and Hewitt, the 15th seed, is bracing for a tough fight.
""He loves a target, he moves extremely well. Obviously he's got a big wingspan out there, a good first serve," he said.
First stop tonight for Hewitt will be in front of a television set - watching Australia in the World Cup.
But there will be one firm rule in place whatever the result against Serbia.
When asked, he quickly replied: "No, I won't have any beers. No, not tonight."
Second Round Results (x denotes seeding):
Men
Lu Yen-Hsun (TPE) bt Michal Przysiezny (POL) 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3
Jurgen Melzer (AUT x16) bt Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-7 (5/7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
Florian Mayer (GER) bt Mardy Fish (USA) 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
Andy Roddick (USA x5) bt Michael Llodra (FRA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7/2)
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS x15) bt Evgeny Korolev (KAZ) 6-4, 6-4, 3-0 retired
Feliciano Lopez (ESP x22) bt Ricardas Berankis (LTU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Gael Monfils (FRA x21) bt Karol Beck (SVK) 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4
Women
Regina Kulikova (RUS) bt Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ x32) 6-2, 6-4
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) bt Vera Dushevina (RUS) 6-3, 6-4
Justine Henin (BEL x17) bt Kristina Barrois (GER) 6-3, 7-5
Marion Bartoli (FRA x11) bt Petra Martic (CRO) walkover
Greta Arn (HUN) bt Alicia Molik (AUS) 7-5, 6-4
Angelique Kerber (GER) bt Shahar Peer (ISR x13) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Kim Clijsters (BEL x8) bt Karolina Sprem (CRO) 6-3, 6-2
Maria Kirilenko (RUS x27) bt Shenay Perry (USA) 6-1, 6-4
Nadia Petrova (RUS x12) bt Chan Yung-Jan (TPE) 6-3, 6-4
Venus Williams (USA x2) bt Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-0, 6-4
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL x15) bt Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 7-6 (11/9), 6-4