One hour into his match against Todd Larkham at the Australian Open, Lleyton Hewitt played a poor shot.

It was the first of the night, and the last.

Hewitt put paid to Larkham's championship 6-1 6-0 6-1, a scoreline that should represent an ideal preparation for his third round meeting with Radek Stepanek, a Czech regarded as the biggest improver in world tennis.

Coming off a tough five-set opener against Magnus Larsson, Hewitt looked sharp and tight on Thursday night against his fellow Australian.

He took the opening set in 23 minutes and was on the way to bettering that time in the second when Larkham called for treatment to his right shoulder.

But not even the injury break could stretch the second set to half an hour.

Larkham battled on in a match that for Hewitt was revenge for their only previous meeting 10 years ago when Larkham allowed him only two games.

For Hewitt, the match was far more a mental exercise than a physical one.

"I had to handle it well mentally," Hewitt said.

"I had to give Todd a lot of credit and respect...he battled through the qualifying and this was a big step up."

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