Second round: Lleyton Hewitt (Aus) bt Taylor Dent (US) 1-6 7-5 6-3 6-7 6-3.

In the most explosive match so far, Lleyton Hewitt survived a thrilling five-setter - and the fastest serve yet seen at Wimbledon.

But despite his scintillating performance, the Australian fifth seed was not getting carried away about his chances of winning the title.

"The way I bounced back - it is as good as I have ever done," said the 20-year-old. "But I have only equalled my best effort here, I am a long way from winning it."

Having won at Queen's in the build up to the Grand Slam event, Hewitt again demonstrated his growing love of grass as he fought back after being outplayed in the opening set.

Dent sent down a barrage of powerful serves - including one rocket which at 144mph broke the Wimbledon speed record.

It was Hewitt's first singles victory on Centre Court - he had only a long mixed doubles victory to his name previously.

But he needed the help of a rain delay that allowed him to gather his thoughts after his dismal start.

But the fifth seed, who made an early exit last year, said he now felt confident he was finally finding his touch at Wimbledon.

"When the crowd get involved, I play my best tennis.

Storming comeback

"I don't feel intimidated by anything out there.

"Centre Court is a court where you've got to go for your shots in order for them to pay off, and I haven't done that as well as I should over the years.

"In the past I have been a bit negative when I have gone out there."

In the last two years he has lost on the most famous tennis court in the world to Boris Becker and American Jan-Michael Gambill.

He served for victory in the fourth set with two match points but threw the game away with a string of double faults and Dent came alive again to win the tiebreak 7-2.

So the match was set for a grandstand finish.

With the shadows lengthening, both men played inspirational tennis before Hewitt finally sealed his place in the third round on his fourth match point.

Dent was kicking himself for failing to keep up his intensity after the rain break: "I maybe relaxed a little bit and lost the urgency."

But he was proud of his dogged resistance: "I was just staying out there trying to keep the match going."

Hewitt now plays unseeded Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui.