Lleyton Hewitt coasted into the second round of the US Open but fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis is out after suffering a humiliating straight-sets loss to Slovakian journeyman Karol Kucera.

Kucera, playing just his fourth match of an injury-plagued season, hammered an error-prone Philippoussis 6-4 6-2 7-5 in yet another setback in the career of the struggling former grand slam finalist.

Hewitt, the 2001 champion, whipped veteran Spaniard Albert Costa 6-1 6-2 6-1 in just 80 minutes on day three of the last grand slam event of 2005.

The third seed will meet Jose Acasuso at Flushing Meadows on Friday after the Argentinian baseliner beat Peru's Luis Horna in a tough four-setter.

While Hewitt improved his outstanding Open record to 30 wins and just five defeats with his typically ruthless display, Philippoussis committed tennis suicide with 42 unforced errors, including two double-faults in the final game of the match, to bow out with barely a whimper.

Philippoussis has needed wildcards to gain entry into his last seven events this year and will require the continued generosity of tournament organisers to avoid the ignominy of competing on the challenger circuit as he faces a further tumble in the rankings from his current lowly position of No.209 in the world.

The 28-year-old has not won a match since Wimbledon and his future looks bleaker than possibly ever before.

Hewitt, though, looks a laydown misere to reach another semi-final with Swiss nemesis Roger Federer after his emphatic win, the withdrawal of fifth seed Marat Safin with a knee injury and the first-round exit of 12th seed Tim Henman.

Slovakian 15th seed Dominik Hrbaty is now the highest seed left in Hewitt's section of the draw and, realistically, a likely third-round tussle with American serve-volleyer Taylor Dent appears the South Australian's only potential danger before the semis.

"I'd love to be around the second Saturday playing in the semi-finals but you can't take any matches lightly," Hewitt said.

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