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Hewitt Back In Top Form, But Is It Enough To Topple Djokovic?
6 Comments · Posted by Staff in Articles
By Jayita Belcourt
It is simply amazing what can change over time. Ravaged by injury leading up to the Australian Open and unable to play much tennis, 30 year old Hewitt says his tennis career was unknown.
“A couple of months ago, I didn’t know if I’d be able to play,†he said.
Admitting he was grateful to just get through his opening match let alone past the third round at the Australian Open, Hewitt was an emotional and fiery man on court tonight. Powering his way through a tough 4 setter against Canadian youngster Milos Raonic, the former number looked impressive. Securing a victory in 3 hours 6 minutes, Hewitt wrapped the match up 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Trailing after the first set, Hewitt fought hard to secure a 6-3 win in the second set. Some classy shots and great defensive play saw the third set go into a tie-breaker. With big serves and aggressive play out on display from both players, it came down to experience and pressure.
Who could best withstand the pressure?
At 3-3 in the tie-break, Hewitt took the lead with another ace. Raonic faulted with a double fault and an unforced error, giving Hewitt a lead of 6-3. It looked like the third set was done and dusted for Hewitt. The experience of the former Wimbeldon and US Open champion was seeming too strong for the young Canandian. But with some aggressive forehand shots from Raonic and two unforced errors from Hewitt, the gap closed to 6-5.
A final show-down on the next point with Raonic dishing out a 190km serve down the centre of the court. With Hewitt scrambling to return play, the point was clearly edging in favour of Raonic. But the ATP rank #23 missed an easy volley, hitting the ball into the net and handing the third set to the former number one.
“I got a little bit lucky obviously with him missing a high volley. But under pressure, nothing’s easy out there†Hewitt says.
Hewitt then charged away to take the final set 6-3. Lleyton now faces world number one, Novak Djokovic . Djokovic has had an impressive start to the season was straight set victories in his opening rounds at the Australian Open. Djokovic also recorded one of the best seasons last year claiming three grand slams and a series of masters events.
“He’s the No.1 player in the world for a reason at the moment. I’m going to enjoy going out there and having a crackâ€, Hewitt says.
So does Hewitt have what it takes to outclass the most “in form†player today ? Whilst I am sure all of Australia would love to think so, I guess we will have to wait and see.
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Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2012 at 2:06 am
Just an amazing performance by Hewitt, thought he might get crushed by the Canadian but Hewitt proved you can never count out the former #1s, they are always dangerous and always capable of bringing out the magic when you least expect it. Rumor has it that Raonic battled Djokovic in a very competitive practice set last week so this bodes well for Hewitt’s chances tomorrow night vs. the current #1.
Mitch · January 22, 2012 at 4:21 am
While I haven’t watched any of Hewitt’s matches this week, I don’t think he stands at chance at all. Hewitt doesn’t have any weapons at all, and he won’t be able to outsmart or outgrind Novak. I put the over/under at 10 games.
Michael · January 22, 2012 at 9:23 am
“Rumor has it that Raonic battled Djokovic in a very competitive practice set last week so this bodes well for Hewitt’s chances tomorrow night vs. the current #1.”
WTF.
Djoker would have to be in a car accident to prevent him from destroying Hewitt. Whether Djoker will get a bagel in there is the only question.
Michael · January 22, 2012 at 9:41 am
Scoop, just to give you an idea that I’m not the only one that thinks you’re nuts Fowler just said on TV that the betting line is such that if you bet $1 on Djoker over Hewitt and win you get back $1.02.
Michael · January 22, 2012 at 9:50 am
Listen it’s very late (stayed up to watch Fed beat up Tomic) so excuse me for beating a dead horse but what the world can Hewitt do ?
He beat Raonic.by grinding the still somewhat gangly, doofy mover down. That’s what he does. Do you think he’s going to grind down Djoker ? Because Raonic played an OK practice match against Djoker ? And by some perverse transitive principal that says something about an actual Major second week march against Djoker ? Hewitt is going to get his ass kicked.
Andrew Miller · January 22, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Hewitt beating Djokovic? If it happens it is epic. I don’t see it but a while back Agassi beat #1 Hewitt at the 2002 US Open semifinal – the bounce suited Agassi and he ran Hewitt ragged. If Hewitt can do that (quite an if – Hewitt, as amazing as he is – was not as powerful as Agassi, and power is needed to unravel Djokovic), I think he can at least get a set, maybe get his teeth into the match.
Got to say it’s a task. Djokovic is looking like a man on a mission!