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Hewitt Begins Australian Open Conquest
20 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
And so Lleyton Hewitt has begun his nineteenth Australian Open, winning a tough four set match with flashy Chinese player Ze Zhang.
It’s a solid, quality start for Hewitt, who disappointingly lost in five sets last year to Andres Seppi in the first round.
Benjamin Becker is up next for Hewitt and it’s a favorable draw – Hewitt is 2-0 career vs. the German in singles, not including a Davis Cup doubles win.
Hewitt, as we know is the kind of player who needs to get on a roll, to win a few matches, hit a lot of balls, fine tune his precision game, then something happens. He seems to become possessed by an inner force.
Last year we saw the flash of the Hewitt greatness, Hewitt got on that roll and beat Lopez, Nishikori and then Roger Federer in the final. But he seemed to peak his form too early. The week off after Brisbane before Melbourne, stalled Hewitt’s momentum.
If Hewitt, 34, can just get a few wins under his belt, a few breaks, some luck, an upset, and somehow scratch and claw his way into the second week, his confidence will be soaring as it was in Brisbane last year. And then anything is possible at that point. ANYTHING. When Hewitt gets on a roll, something takes over, his inner fires rekindle, the old magic comes back, his eyes burn in fury, that killer instinct returns. And Hewitt’s game ascends and flows on instinct. It can happen again. Will it happen, can it happen again?
With a great, miraculous champion like Lleyton Hewitt, you never know. It doesn’t matter what any pundit or armchair champion thinks. All that matters is what Lleyton Hewitt believes.
Hewitt quotes after the match:
“Obviously the young guys that have had a lot of pressure and expectation on them, they’ve handled it really well, which is important. I think for the most part those three guys, obviously Tomic, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, you know, obviously they have big futures. All three guys like playing on the big stage, which is really important. I’ve seen that in Davis Cup now. It doesn’t get much more pressure than playing Davis Cup, where you’re playing for your country and your teammates as well as yourself. It hasn’t really surprised me the last couple of days, but they’ve got to keep kicking on now. It is only the first round. They’ve got to keep taking their opportunities when they present.â€
“Just getting the win (tonight) was the most pleasing thing. It’s always tough at any Grand Slam, especially early on in tournaments, especially the start of the year, more so playing at home in your home Grand Slam. The first match is always tough to get through.”
“It’s obviously a big build-up to it, as well. I was obviously the favorite going out there tonight, but I knew he was going to be really flashy and I was going to have to weather the storm when he had a run-on of games. Happened every time I played against him. I was able to do that and change the momentum when I needed to.â€
As for the retirement question, Hewitt didn’t give a definitive answer, simply replying, “I get asked that question every day.”
I spoke with Benjamin Becker about Facing Hewitt for the book and he told me his first memory of Hewitt is reading in the newspaper about his shock win in Adelaide at sixteen. Becker was also sixteen at the time and he was astonished to learn that another kid his same age could possibly win an ATP title. Now, eighteen years later, Becker and Hewitt will meet – in the Australian Open second round.
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Andrew Miller · January 20, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Zhang was far better than I thought he’d be. But I think if anyone would ask Hewitt, Hewitt would say no match is easy – he’s very similar to Nadal in how he responds to questions and looks only one match ahead. In Becker’s defense, it can’t be much fun to play legends in important matches on their home courts – he became the bad guy when he knocked out Agassi from his final US Open in 06 and could be the bad guy again when he plays the legend Hewitt in front of a home crowd.
Scoop Malinowski · January 20, 2015 at 3:38 pm
No match is easy at the highest level, even reading old Nadal transcripts from his clay matches in 2007 for “Facing Rafa”, when pundits like McEnroe were saying he looked “unbeatable” Rafa always said all matches are difficult. And they are. Just like when I play 4.5 matches, they are always tough matches, everyone can play, can hit the shots, knows how to battle. Becker has been solid for the last 9 months, got his ranking back up after lingering around 90 range for a while. I talked with Becker last year in Delray and he was frustrated that he couldn’t string more than a win or two in row together. But shortly after that he did. I think the beating of Harrison in Miami, in a third set TB was an impetus. Fascinating match it will be to see Hewitt vs. B Becker who knows a thing or two about taking down the hero on his home court.
Raphaël · January 20, 2015 at 4:53 pm
I thought I’d publish my Facebook comment here too, maybe to trigger a little debate 😉
That’s wishful thinking! I’m an armchair champion all right but I’m also a diehard Hewitt fan and even I have to admit there’s no way in hell he can win a Slam at this point in his career. Today’s match was a very shaky start at best against a very weak player. Zhang has a powerful backhand, granted, but it’s a lot easier when Hewitt gives him a good angle with very slow second serves bouncing high on Zhang’s backhand. And that’s also all he has. He literally crumbled when Hewitt finally managed to hit two straight shots inside the court and his other shots (good first serve but very weak second serve, can’t smash, unpredictable forehand – either catching the line at a supersonic speed or barely reaching the net, poor footwork at times) didn’t do him any favors either. I really hope Hewitt gets his act together on Thursday against Becker. Especially since Becker is on a roll after beating a seeded player (Benneteau, 25th) and the stats don’t mean anything since Hewitt beat Becker twice in… 2009 and 2010. In other words, a lifetime ago. On the plus side, Hewitt was really tense (Jim Courier noticed it too), probably because he was finally getting a good draw in the first round at the Australian Open and felt he couldn’t lose that match. So hopefully he’ll feel less pressure in the second round and he’ll be able to play at a decent level again. Having said that, kudos to him for winning anyway without burning too much energy despite never finding the right pace. Brad Gilbert would be proud. But now is the time to shift gears because not only is there no way in hell he’ll reach the second week if he plays at the level he displayed today but he’ll also get a sound German beating in the next round! But then again, he’s about to turn 34 and his size and lack of power make him a player from another era. So he’s maximizing what he can do with his potential here 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · January 20, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Raphael, thanks for your sincere and intelligent comments. Can’t argue what you say. But Hewitt is always an exception because of his heart and will. We have seen him to the impossible many times. It’s folly to write him off. Last year at Brisbane was an example. Even at Newport last year he was down a set and locked in 4-4 with a badly slumping Ryan Harrison in the first round. Then he found his groove and won the title in singles and doubles. Struggling in the first round is normal for Hewitt, no matter who the opponent. Becker will be a big challenge but if Hewitt can find a way to get to third round, who knows, maybe Raonic will get flustered in a jam packed electric Laver Arena with the crowd totally for Hewitt. Maybe Hewitt can turn back the clock and shock Raonic like he did vs. Delpo at US Open. Of course it’s easy to also see Hewitt flaming out vs. Becker or Raonic. But Hewitt always seems to make a fight of it and give himself some chances. I wouldn’t bet on Hewitt’s chances…but I wouldn’t bet against him either.
Andrew Miller · January 20, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Thought last year Hewitt would make week 2, didn’t happen. You never know though – I think he can win rd 2 and make a match of rd 3. From Raphael’s comments seems like Hewitt got a little nervous in his Zhang match – he needs to get on and off court quickly, be as efficient as he can. Serve will be key.
We’ll see – pressure makes diamonds.
Scoop Malinowski · January 20, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Seppi actually is a bad style match up for Hewitt, he has a winning record vs. Hewitt, so it was a tough draw. Yet he almost pulled it out. Seppi plays no pace balls and balls in the middle of the court and forces Hewitt to create and generate his own pace and he defends and moves well too. But it won’t be easy to get by Becker and it will be a lot harder to get by Raonic too. But matches aint won on paper or past performances.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2015 at 10:16 am
Nadal def. Smyczek in five. Didn’t see this match yet, just the video of Smee giving Rafa a first serve at 30-love in the 65 game in the fifth set, after a fan yelled when Rafa was in mid serve motion. Apparently Rafa allegedly faked being sick in the match and the Aussie fans are getting really annoyed with him, remember, they booed Rafa last year for the injury timeout to Stan in the final when down a set and a break. Is the crowd waking to Rafa’s faking and gamesmanship? Or was Rafa really sick last night but miraculously recovered to win the match? Smee’s respect went up miles be became a star and symbol of sportsmanship last night.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2015 at 10:21 am
Maria pulled out another magical win, saving two MPs with winners. Maria will surge from a win like this and I think she will take down Serena if they meet next week, Maria is looking sharp, Panova was great last night but couldn’t drive the final nail into the coffin, which is so hard to do vs. Maria in a major. Serena not looking like her real self all month. Kyrgios beats Ivo, Groth with a monster win vs. Kokki. Tomic wins again too, said he will abstain from booze until he wins a major. This shows he means business. Hope he’s not a bust like the underachieving Philippoussis. Bouchard Express rolling now. Murray and Fed looking good too. Berdych beats Melzer. I like Berd but just can’t see him going all the way, he needs Lendl.
loreley · January 21, 2015 at 10:45 am
Rafa was surely not well. Threw up almost on court. He was sweating like hell & had a MTO. Later he said, that he doesn’t know what it is. He felt cramps after the first set already, felt tired & dizzy. No way he faked that or he is just the best actor in tennis 😉
Nadal was very lucky today. Probably he would have lost against a better player, but Smyczek lacks weapons aka power. He got his two sets, because Rafa made so many unforced errors. Later on Rafa managed to cut down the errors.
Smyczek is a true gentleman on court. Gave Rafa a first serve after a moron shouted out loud while Rafa was serving for the match. In contrast Kokkinakis didn’t care at all what his fans did to Gulbis.
ASHOKE GANGULI · January 21, 2015 at 11:29 am
HI Scoop,
Good Coverage.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Very strange match. At times it looked like Rafa was carrying Tim, other times he looked unlike himself, and maybe ill in some way. This is the kind of match Rafa could win one one and one if he really wanted to. But it’s first week, he needs the practice, match time on court. To be honest, I had a sense Rafa wanted to play a long dramatic match like this. For a couple of reasons. Lessen expectations from fans media. Create sympathy and the illusion of being not a hundred %. Practice by putting himself in big point situations. It’s like a world champion boxer sparring with an overmatched less experienced pro or amateur. I just don’t think Rafa was really struggling, I think he wanted to struggle on purpose, and manufactured it. Jan Siemerink told me tennis is all about dealing with tension. Rafa created his tension last night IMO. Rafa could handle and finish Tim any time he wanted. Just like a cat and the mouse. Sorry if I’m offending anyone with my honest appraisals of this strange match. Roger with his finger drama. Rafa with his illness. What a day at the Aussie Open. I want to also comment Tim for his grand gesture of sportsmanship giving Rafa first serve at 30-love 65 in the fifth. You rarely see such sportsmanship in ATP and especially not WTA, it was refreshing and inspiring to see. And it will be one of the defining moments of the career of Tim Smyczek.
Scoop Malinowski · January 21, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Thanks Ashoke, what do you think of the Aus Open so far?
Harold · January 22, 2015 at 7:57 am
Someone close to Hewitt should take his rackets away. Ride off into the sunset, after getting honored at the Aus Open,for his contributions to Aus. tennis.
Losing to the other B. Becker after blowing a 2 set lead, it’s over. A great career, Hall of Fame first ballot.
Just walk away, shouldnt be grinding out 1st round wins, only to have nothing left in the tank for the next round. He followed in the footsteps of guys like Wilander( heck, he even did the Visht) and Chang. Ground out big wins early, hit the tour running, but couldnt sustain.because the new brutal tennis being played, the physical aspect of the Sport, got too demanding. Could not win cheap points or stay healthy.
Thanks for a great career, great fighter, time to exit stage left
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2015 at 11:28 am
Like to believe Hewitt still has this year. Last night was rough, but if he is healthy he can keep playing.
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Let’s face it, Hewitt has faded. He has lost speed and confidence. When the great champion loses his weapons and confidence it becomes much much harder to finish important matches like last night. I think he’ll try to carry on to make it 20 consecutive Aussie Opens. If he can get that far. Frankly, it’s a surprise he’s lasted as long as he has. Becker is a rejuvenated player.
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Jason Stoltenberg told me he quit when he realized there were certain players he just knew he couldn’t beat anymore. I think Hewitt is fast approaching that realization point.
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2015 at 2:50 pm
I thinl a champ like hewitt will wrap up his career with class, probably plan it to end at the aussie or davis cup if they have a big year. He is no mardy fish who opts for golf and says nothing about tennis, so little that you wonder if tjere wasnt foul play (even if it is a plain vainilla fish has heart problems end of story) – a full us open stadium would give him a standing ovation if he stepped out and announced he is done ( many u.s. players have retired without much – mostly mystery and no goodbyes ).
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2015 at 7:34 pm
The whole Fish exit from tennis was weirder than weird. And fishy too. I like this energy Baghdatis has from his fans vs. Super G. I smell upset, Bag LOVES playing in this kind of atmposhere and it inspires his best tennis. Tricky match for Super G.
Harold · January 22, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Wertheim beat you guys on Twitter. I thought the first place I wouls see the comment” Harrison should take something away from his victory over Bags”.
dan markowitz · January 22, 2015 at 10:33 pm
Well, yes, Harold, I’ve been thinking about this in Costa Rica leading my yoga retreat not having had a television and not even sure | could find matches on Costa Rican tv when I head to a hotel for a few days to go surfing later this week, but Harry’s win over Bagman who’s in a 5th set with Dimitrov down a break as I write this is darn impressive.
DY went down in straights to Raonic. QBall gone, it’s SteveJo and Izzie holding up the fort, but maybe there’s a bright light for Harry.