Hewitt crushes Voltchkov to put Australia 2-0 up

MELBOURNE, April 7 (Reuters) Lleyton Hewitt crushed Vladimir Voltchkov 6-2 6-1 6-2 to give Australia a 2-0 lead over Belarus in their Davis Cup quarter-final today.

The former world number one doubled the hosts' lead in the best-of-five match contest after Chris Guccione had earlier upset Max Mirnyi 7-6 3-6 7-5 3-6 6-4 in a match lasting nearly four hours.

''It's the biggest win of my career,'' Guccione told Australian television. ''In front of my home crowd there's no better feeling. I was very nervous but I relaxed into the match.'' The 20-year-old broke Mirnyi's serve in the last game of the opening singles match which lasted three hours 41 minutes, clinching victory when the Belarussian netted a simple forehand volley.

The left-hander from Melbourne, who won the deciding rubber against Switzerland in the last round, is ranked 168th in the world, 117 places below Mirnyi, nicknamed The Beast for his intimidating stature and power.

Hewitt needed just 91 minutes to beat Voltchkov, improving his Davis Cup win-loss record to 31-8.

Australia's Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley take on Mirnyi and Voltchkov in Saturday's doubles.

REUTERS DH PM1403