Tennis Prose




Jul/14

8

Hewitt Overcomes Harrison In Newport

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Ryan Harrison rolled to a stunning 6-l first set vs. Lleyton Hewitt but could not finish off the still feisty Aussie from 5-5 in the second set, which was won by Hewitt 7-5.

Struggling with his shoulder, which he used an injury timeout for in the second set, Hewitt seemed to find his groove in the third. Hewitt went up a break but then Harrison returned the favor. Hewitt then held for 54 and broke Harrison for the 64 triumph. Harrison was outraged in the final set, smashing his Babolat and also yelling GAWWD after a lost point. The woman fan sitting behind us said to her friend, “Harrison is very, very upset.”

Hewitt, who lost to Harrison in Atlanta last summer in their only head to head meeting, was his usual fiery self though he only used muted Come Ons to his box. But late in the third he erupted for a couple of vocal Come ons though they were not full force.

For Hewitt, it was a typical hard fought trademark win, fighting back from the brink to save victory from the jaws of defeat. Hewitt was steady from the baseline, countering Harrison’s heavier hits, and also using some vintage volleys to stymie the hard luck American who has had a disappointing year.

With Harrison, were his dad Pat and girlfriend Lauren McHale. Hewitt was supported by his wife, coach Jaymon Crabb, doubles partner Chris Guccione and fellow Aussies Sam Groth and Luke Saville.

Hewitt quotes after match: “At the start I tried to come out and play really clean tennis. It’s totally different courts and conditions to playing in London. That was the hardest thing, so in the end, I just tried to win ugly more than anything. Just get balls back in play. With the wind out here on these courts, they’re not bouncing as high as in England. It’s a lot tougher out there. I wouldn’t say it was the best-looking match, but I just found a way to win.”

Hewitt lost in the finals last year to Nicolas Mahut.

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21 comments

  • Dan Markowitz · July 8, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    Nice reporting, Scoop. Harry walked by me as he left the stadium court and I actually shuddered a bit. I thought he might hit me if I broke into a smile or made some othe inappropriate action. He as peeved. Harry bullied Lleyton in the first set and I think he was up a break int second at 3-1, but then Harry couldn’t rock the ball past the Aussie with his forehand. Harry just played too loose against a guy like Hewitt who was double-faulting all over the place in the first set and was serving below 100 mph on his first serve.

    So Harry and DY are out already and Izzie, Steve Johnson are left and I don’t know if Sock beat Kuznetsov in the last match. Harry is a scary guy. No one who was there for him today, either his father or his girlfriend clapped for him much or yelled out, “C’mon, Harry, you can do it!” Maybe they’re scared of him, too. He reminds me of Stanley Kowalski from Streetcar Named Desire. I almost expected him to yell out, “Stella!” The guy is a brute and has a potent serve, but unlike Roddick, his knockout punch and competitive verve are not good enough to win consistently at this level. He needs help and Jan Michael Gambill was nowhere to. E seen today.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 8, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    Thanks Dan. It was a brutal loss. I think it came down to confidence. Hewitt has had a good year, with steady results. Harrison hasn’t won but a few ATP level matches all year. When it came down to crunch time, he crumbled like a crumb cake. We could see it coming. Even Hewitt seemed sympathetic and sorry for Harrison at the handshake. Harrison walked by you to the P courts, I held myself back from going to watch him suffer, whatever he was going to do. Later saw his dad walking down the street back to hotel by himself. Lauren seemed pretty down too. It had to be a miserable day for Team Harrison. Seeing this part of tennis makes me hate it a smidgen. Tennis can be a cruel sport. Hope Harry rebounds soon. Sock won in straights. Sock has a different glow about him now. This Wimbledon title is going to be a springboard for his singles career, mark my words. Smyczek lost in straights to lefty Austin Krajicek. Smyczek took a set off Hewitt here two years ago.

  • Dan Markowitz · July 8, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    As you know, Scoop, I have picked Stahovsky to win Newport and he won his first round match today and plays Dr. ivo tomorrow. that should be interesting. other dark horses are Sock who did win today, San Groth and Rajeev Ram.

  • Thomas Tung · July 8, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    Winning a ATP level title here would do wonders for Sam Groth’s career (he already has the super monsterous serve, like a bigger and heavier version of Joachim Johansson’s serve). IMO the best I see Groth doing career-wise is Top 100, at best. Groundstrokes are shaky (especially the backhand) and movement is so-so, with none of the anticipation of Courier. I really hope Groth proves me wrong, though …

  • Thomas Tung · July 8, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    As for bad play today, Brazil’s 7-1 loss in the World Cup, at home, against Germany, is about as rough as I’ve ever seen in any sport, especially soccer, where 4-0 is a straight blowout …

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 4:06 am

    Brazil was destroyed by Germany, who now has gargantuan momentum going into finals. If Germany doesn’t win it’ll be a shocker. I like Groth a lot, Thomas. He seems like a real nice guy, gentle giant. Good win over Young and I’ve been impressed at least on the grass with his one hander, it’s a flatter but cleanly struck shot. He plays tomorrow on a side court. It’s great how the Aussies support each other. Guccione, Groth and Saville were all watching most of HEWITT’s match, Hewitt was watching Groth’s doubles match and on one serve, Groth almost knocked over his opponent and Hewiitt looked at Guccione, another monster, and chuckled.

  • Andrew Miller · July 9, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Groth has nice game. What to say on hewitt – he is not close from being done ! He still has the same stuff. Glad people appreciate him. Harrison should learn from.this – put that pent up frustration on the practicecourt. Maybe gambill will persuade him to step in and play a little.more bouchard ball. If you look at it both rely on brute force – but bouchard is intimidating. Gambill had a nice game – harrison doesnt need anything but practice – no new shots etc – just use what he has differently.

    The challenge is probably being used to scrambling twelve feet behind baseline. Against less talented and less quick aka slow players this works. But were talking dimitrov and hewitt here . Hes gotten into the sets at least – shows he can stay close . To get beyond it i think gambill needs to channel some old school gilbert – step in mix it up etc.

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 11:16 am

    Here courtside for first stadium match of the day , Mahut v Saville. On tv from Wimby, Saville looked shortish. In person he’s a lanky Aussie, a good 6-2, 6/3 . It’s amazing how the size of players has changed. The norm here is 6/2 and a lot of guys are much bigger. Saville won junior Wimby in 2011 and junior Aussie in 2012. He looks mature beyond his years, but Mahut is defending champ and at 32 he reached his career high rank at No. 37.

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 11:27 am

    I like this Saville, good-looking player. MHut hits big serve.both players are serve volleying occasionally. Mahut just hit feather bh drop shot as he approached net. Earlier he said, “Ooh la la” when he missed a shot. They get good crowds here, mostly older. Mahut is an elegant player the way he his one hander and moves well for a tall man. Is there any shot more beautiful in game than the one hander drive bh return. This Saville is a fighter, 3-all.

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 11:41 am

    Mahut just hit a bh volley in full gallop as he charged the net. It’s amazing to see up close how these guys generat and handle pace. A deep spinning ball you think would eat up opponent, is often sent back with interest. One way you cN tell a pro from a very good Ayer is how fast a player goes back on and crushes an overhead. Even on the grass here which I’ve seen no one slip on except a ball girl, these guys are lightening. Saville had two break points, but Mahut squelched them.

    These guys are freakin’ amazing. Mahut just hit another drop shot that incredibly Saville scooped up an inch from the grass and got back over. 4-all now, would anyone object to set going to 4 games instead of 6 and a breaker being played at 4–all? I think I like the idea, especially at slams and DCup.

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Saville breaks himsel, 6-4 Mahut.

  • Dan markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Groth just took 1st set in a lengthy breaker against Jaziri. Lot of big shots and Groth hit one ball out of the facility that has to be the longest hit ball with a tennis racket in the history of the game. Steve Johnson’s going to be tough to best here. He just took care of Ito and his slice backhand is very tough on these courts. SteveJo looks workd’s more fit than he did when I saw him lose at Open 2 years ago to Kamke.

  • Andrew Miller · July 9, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    aussies are great players – they are like a mix between France and the U.S.

    Speaking of U.S.
    Klahn @ 74 is 0-8 in last 8 tournaments. That’s what we call a slump!

    Sock @ 76 seems like he’s ready to be an ATP regular. He’s 12-10 on the tour this year. Not bad Sock – seems he’s seeing other players at his level break through like Kyrgios etc. I think with the doubles victory it’s safe to say that Sock has real ambition.

    Steve J. at 69, is at 9-11 on the year and is getting used to getting beyond round one. Looks like Johnson and Sock are in it.

    DY is at 10-11 on the year. I’d like to see all three get top 50 this year.

    Harrison on the year is 4-9. I think judging him with the coaching change is not fair for now – he needs at least through the start of the indoor. Let’s see Gambill make some breakthroughs, get Harrison inside the court to start pressuring players.

  • Harold · July 9, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    4 games a set? Why dont they just flip a freaking coin to see who wins and not bother playing at all.

    Are you bored? With all these amazing shits you are telling us about, you still want it to end quicker?

  • Harold · July 9, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    shots

  • Dan Markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 4:43 pm

    I know you meant shits, don’t take it back now.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 9, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    Why can’t Groth become a Karlovic, a late bloomer in his mid 20s who ascends to top 20? Why not? Anything is possible. He’s looking good in Newport.

  • Scoop Malinowski · July 9, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Andrew, You’re right Hewitt is not close to being done. He looked sharp as ever in the doubles, taking down Harrison/Venus with Guccione. Total command of the court. Making pinpoint returns and volleys and other miscellaneous shots. He’s also got a lot of fans, I was standing next to an older woman Maureen during the doubles on the outer court, you wouldn’t believe what a big fan she was. Talking about his quickness, experience, wondering why he was wearing hat forward for doubles, and not all whites (he wore black shorts and white gray shirt). She was so happy when he won, saying it’s great that Hewitt won twice today now we can see him again. If he stays healthy, big IF, he can go on like Connors and Rosewall. Key will be to stay healthy and manage his schedule carefully. But as far as desire and skillset, it’s all still there. You can see the Hewitt greatness shine every time he’s on the court. Still.

  • Dan Markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    It is very fun to see Hewitt still out there playing fine tennis. I know he’s had five surgeries, but he looks very spry. His strokes are so compact. I do like watching the Aussies play.. I watched Hewitt warm up with Jaymon Crabb and then Guccione, who’s a monster, the guy is huge, but what a nice one handed backhand. I even got a smile out of Matty Ebden, he was eating lunch in the press area and Hewitt’s two oldest kids were playing with a mass of Cheerios, and I said to them in a big friendly voice, “You kids must love Cheerios. It must be your favorite cereal.” Ebden laughed, but Hewitt’s kids didn’t say anything. There’s a nanny with them most of the time and maybe they’ve been told not to talk with the mad media members.

    I was told by a writer from Sydney that Saville actually was the huge regarded junior than Kyrigos. But When Saville quailed at Wimby and won his first match it was his first ever ATP win. Mahut looked good shutting him down today. I was I the Viking Hotel gym at 9 this morning when Mahut walked in with his big Wilson tennis bag and pulled out a massive band that he wrapped around his legs and head to stretch his adductors. Then for about another hour he did core stretches and exercises and finished with a Ng on the treadmill. These guys are super fit. The difference between Sock two years ago at this event when I first saw him and now in terms of body fat is like 20 per cent down to 10. If you’re even a half step slow out there you will get exploited. I think guys like DYoung and Soci understand this and realize that if they want to play singles they better get serious about getting super fits.

  • Dan Markowitz · July 9, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    Harold,

    Did you watch the entire 3 hour and 56 minute Wimby finals? I can make a strong argument that that’s just too long for aa tennis match to last. I think 2 hour, tops 3 hour, matches should be the limit.

  • Andrew Miller · July 10, 2014 at 1:34 am

    Hewitt is a champ. Knows what is going on. Has no problem stopping a next generation player or taking out a seed. He has a connors like run in him at least. The second week of a major or late round of masters. Hewitt is quality. I think injuries stopped him nothing else – nadal and djokovic certainly are better but is murray better ? Debatable. Pound for pound it is hewitt.

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