Delray Beach, FL, USA, 20 February 2014 | tennis.com.au

Australian Marinko Matosevic has moved through to the quarterfinals of the ATP event in Delray Beach when compatriot Lleyton Hewitt retired after the first set of their match due to a shoulder injury.

Matosevic had taken the opening set in a tiebreak (7-2) before Hewitt called it quits, terminating the match after one hour and six minutes.

It was a blow to Hewitt, just a few days out from his 33rd birthday, after his blistering performance in the opening round against American Bradley Klahn.

Hewitt revealed the ailment was the continuation of an injury that has affected him last week in Memphis.

“It flared up again yesterday, same as last week in Memphis. It’s frustrating to win the first round and then have it flare up,” he lamented.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure what’s wrong with it. I just can’t serve. I felt it earlier today and I literally couldn’t hit a serve hard.”

Matosevic will next meet fourth seed Kevin Anderson, who like the Victorian also progressed to the last eight thanks to a retirement; his opponent Ivo Karlovic lasted just one game before withdrawing due to a stomach virus.

That match will be a replay of the 2012 final in Delray Beach, which Anderson won in two tight sets.

Despite the loss, it was nonetheless Matosevic’s breakout performance at ATP level; the 28-year-old has since gone on to become a consistent top 100 force on tour.

Matosevic’s quarterfinal against Anderson is scheduled to be played on Friday.