Frustration was writ large on his face when the heavens opened at the CCI courts here on Wednesday afternoon. Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who last hit balls on Saturday, was keen to get some time on court ahead of his opening round match of the Kingfisher Airlines Open.

The driving rain cut short his practice routine on Centre Court, and his match against Taipei's Ti Chen as well. But having tested his volleys and ground strokes with make-shift hitting partner, Vivek Shokeen, Hewitt was about test if his serves were still in working order when it began to rain.

His trainer Ivan Guiterrez was keen that Hewitt got indoors quickly. For, the two-time Grand Slam was forced to pull out of his country's crucial reverse singles match against world No 3 Novak Djokovic with a viral infection. He probably didn't want another pull out!

The Aussie ace, upset with the rain, squeezed in two serves before — cursing at the turn of events — sending a ball heavenwards. That was for the weather gods for keeps!

But for that closing rain-drama, Hewitt, appearing a bit leaner but hungry nevertheless, looked quite content with his workout. He didn't miss a step and found the corners with regularity in the 30-odd minutes on court.

Poor Shokeen, a former India Davis Cupper, was given a harsh tennis lesson. "It was really great hitting with the former world No 1," said Shokeen, who crashed out of the second round of qualifying here. As the two ran for cover, Hewitt said a quick 'thank you mate' to Shokeen.