ausopen

Hewitt all right, Rafter rolls on
AUSTRALIAN OPEN

By LINDA PEARCE
Thursday 18 January 2001

Lleyton Hewitt has placed his faith in the hands of an Adelaide naturopath, who yesterday responded to an urgent summons to help prepare the injured teenager for today's second-round match against Tommy Haas at the Australian Open.

Bill Hatchardt, a manipulative muscle therapist who has treated Hewitt for assorted minor problems in the past, received a call from the seventh seed early yesterday morning, and agreed to catch an early flight to Melbourne.

Along with Nicole Pratt and Evie Dominikovic, Hewitt will this afternoon attempt to join fellow Australians Pat Rafter (a four-set winner over Andrei Pavel), Andrew Ilie (who upset ninth seed Juan Carlos Ferrero) and Wayne Arthurs (through in five sets against Ivo Heuberger) in the third round. Australian wildcard Melissa Dowse was crushed 6-0, 6-2 by Italian Silvia Farina Ella.

Hewitt cancelled his planned afternoon practice session in favor of intensive treatment on the right hamstring he first injured during a hit at Melbourne Park on Sunday and twinged again during his five-set epic against Jonas Bjorkman on Tuesday night. He rated that win behind only his victory over Albert Costa in last month's Davis Cup final as the most significant of his career.

"It doesn't look like it is a tear, it might just be a strain," said Davis Cup chiropractor Andreas Bisaz, who tended to Hewitt after his victory. "It might be a little bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn't bother him like it did in the last match. If it bothers him it will (affect his chances), but hopefully not."

As controversy continued to bubble over Hewitt's on-court behavior, his Australian manager, John McCurdy, said the USOpen semi-finalist was confident of being in close to peak condition against Haas, who beat him here in 1999 and again two weeks ago in Adelaide.

"He's hoping to be 90-100 percent for tomorrow's match, but I guess we won't know until tomorrow," McCurdy said. "He's pulled up a little bit sore today, and obviously it affected him a bit last night, but he still managed to get through."

Straight after the match, Hewitt said there was no chance he would withdraw from the tournament. "Davis Cup and grand slams, that's what you live for as a tennis player. For me, playing in Australia, it's my favorite tournament of the year and I'm going to go out there and try and give it everything I've got."

In the aftermath of a dramatic night, Bjorkman was yesterday critical of Hewitt's "in your face" behavior, that included dissenting line calls and incessant cries of "c'mon", even after his opponent's mistakes. "It might be a little bit too much," Bjorkman said, urging Hewitt to model himself more closely on his friend Rafter.

"I think Lleyton's always going to have that problem that people don't like what he does - and I can see their side of it as well," Rafter responded. "Lleyton's in my corner, I guess, so it's sort of hard for me to say anything. All I know is that I operate differently. Lleyton's got to do what works for him. If he knows it's going to work for him, then he will do it. Regardless of what anyone thinks or says about him, he will just do what he has to do to win."

Taking the strain for the slam

After playing much of five sets with a hamstring injury, practice was the last thing Lleyton Hewitt needed yesterday, writes Linda Pearce in Melbourne.

Perhaps the best indication of Lleyton Hewitt's condition after five sets against Jonas Bjorkman was that when he returned to the locker-room in what had become the early hours of the next day, the first call he made was to an elderly therapist back home in Adelaide.

Bill Hatchardt, a manipulative muscle therapist who has treated Hewitt for assorted minor problems in the past, received that call from the seventh seed yesterday morning and agreed to catch an early flight to Melbourne to help prepare the injured teenager for his second-round match today against Tommy Haas at the Australian Open.

Hewitt cancelled his planned afternoon practice session in favour of intensive treatment on the right hamstring he injured during a hit at Melbourne Park on Sunday and twinged again during his five-set epic against Bjorkman, a win he rated behind only his victory over Albert Costa in the Davis Cup final last month as the most significant of his career.

"It doesn't look like it is a tear, it might just be a strain," said Davis Cup chiropractor Andreas Bisaz, who tended to Hewitt after his victory. "It might be a little bit uncomfortable, but it shouldn't bother him like it did in the last match. If it bothers him it will [affect his chances], but hopefully not."

As controversy continued over Hewitt's on-court behaviour, his Australian manager, John McCurdy of Octagon, said the US Open semi-finalist was confident of being in close to peak condition against Haas, the German who beat him here in 1998 and again two weeks ago at the Australian hardcourt championship in Adelaide.

"He's hoping to be 90 to 100per cent for tomorrow's match, but I guess we won't know until tomorrow," McCurdy said. "He's pulled up a little bit sore today, and obviously it affected him a bit last night, but he still managed to get through."

After the match Hewitt said there was no chance he would withdraw from the tournament. "Davis Cup and grand slams, that's what you live for as a tennis player. For me, playing in Australia it's my favourite tournament of the year and I'm going to go out there and try and give it everything I've got."

Bjorkman yesterday criticised Hewitt's "in your face" behaviour that included dissenting line calls and incessant cries of "C'mon", even after his opponent's mistakes. "It might be a little bit too much," Bjorkman said, urging Hewitt to model himself more closely on his friend Pat Rafter.

Rafter responded: "I think Lleyton's always going to have that problem that people don't like what he does - and I can see their side of it as well.

"Listen, Lleyton's in my corner, I guess, so it's sort of hard for me to say anything. All I know is that I operate differently. And Lleyton's got to do what works for him. If he knows it's going to work for him, then he will do it. Regardless of what anyone thinks or says about him, he will just do what he has to do to win."

Hewitt had to do plenty to win his first-round match on Tuesday-Wednesday. There are two theories about what the combined effect of that marathon and the slight hamstring strain will mean in immediate Australian Open terms, and the prospect that it may break Hewitt appears to have as much validity as Davis Cup coach Wally Masur's theory that it will make him.

"Hopefully [the hamstring injury] settles down," Masur said yesterday, "because usually players like Lleyton, once they get through a tough match like that, they really start to get on a roll."

Yet Hewitt was going nowhere fast yesterday, at least not to the practice court booked for his use at 2pm, and where a crowd and TV cameras had gathered, only for Bjorkman and doubles partner Todd Woodbridge to start hitting up instead.

After a sleep-in at his hotel, Hewitt was limited to a day of treatment and cheerleading duties for Belgian girlfriend Kim Clijsters. The rest should not harm him, as it was almost 1.30am by the time Hewitt left the Melbourne Park media bunker, an hour after his 3hr 42min match had ended.

By then Haas would have been well tucked up. He had dropped just five games in three sets against Nicolas Massu earlier in the day; also leaving the athletic German plenty of time to put his feet up and admire the trophy he won 10 days ago at Memorial Drive, having dumped the local wonderboy along the way.

An underprepared wonderboy, to be fair, for Hewitt had elected to rest over Christmas rather than practise after a demanding year, and gave himself no chance of defending his hometown title. He believes pre-match favouritism will be shared this time, despite Haas's 2-1 lead in their career contests, all on hardcourts, the first at Melbourne Park in 1998.

Hewitt said of Haas: "He's going to be in the top 10 very shortly. You know, I think he's a hell of a player."

Just as Hewitt, whatever his behavioural lapses, is a hell of a competitor. Only this afternoon on the Rod Laver Arena will we know whether arguably Australia's most talked-about teenager has the necessary fitness to complement the fight he undoubtedly possesses. If not, the only post-match call he may be making is to book a group flight home, elderly therapist included.

Lleyton and Kim match: It's easy to think you're seeing doubles
By Jake Niall

We may have found compelling evidence that Lleyton Hewitt loves himself. No, not the ponytail, the confident demeanor or the self-motivational yelps during matches.

The evidence was provided when his girlfriend, Kim Clijsters, sat with the Hewitt family in the stands on Tuesday night.

Clijsters was seated directly in front of Lleyton's mother, Cherilyn, and sister Jaslyn. If you didn't know who she was - and one Seven commentator did not - you would have guessed she was another Hewitt sister.

She has fair hair, blue eyes and a dimpled chin. Frankly, she looks like Lleyton. People are supposed to be attracted to opposites, or maybe to someone like mum or dad. But if they choose to partner someone who resembles themselves, self-love could be the motivation. Or something else. Explanations are better left to Dr Freud's disciples.

"That's what I've heard," said Clijsters of her uncanny resemblance to her other half. "A lot of people, yeah, say that we could be brother and sister."

Clijsters, 17, and Hewitt, 19, share other traits, admittedly superficial ones. Most obviously, they are damn good players - Clijsters is Belgium's highest-ranked female (18).

Their dads were both professional footballers: Glynn Hewitt played for Glenelg in South Australia and a handful of games for Richmond, while Lei Clijsters was one of Belgium's most famous soccer stars, a World Cup player. (He coaches a third-division club, Diest).

Clijsters, like Hewitt, likes to slug it out from the baseline and doesn't have a huge serve. She, too, relies on nimble feet and has a mean two-handed backhand.

Like her boyfriend, she can win on bad days and doesn't fold in the face of adversity.

Yesterday, after a late evening watching Hewitt's hamstrung heroics, she played well below par - her own estimation - against Russian Alina Jidkova but still won 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

The swirling wind on court two made for ugly tennis. Clijsters had a poor start and, at 0-1 and 30-40, committed an error that is unheard of in grand slam tennis.

On her second serve, she swiped and missed the ball, connecting only with Melbourne air. Double-fault. Game Jidkova. 2-0.

"That's the first time that's ever happened," said Clijsters of her fresh-air shot. "While I was bringing my racket up, the wind just blew the ball away."

In the stands, Hewitt, his coach Darren Cahill and a small entourage provided moral support. Unlike Hewitt, Clijsters did not question any calls, pump the fist or do anything that could be construed as annoying. She quietly took over the match, overcoming the wind and a horrible unforced error count (56 to her opponent's 36).

The media, keen on any sneaky question that introduced the topic of Hewitt, later asked if all the excitement of the previous evening had left her flattened. It hadn't.

"That had nothing to do with that . . . we're both playing," she said. "I'm focusing on my matches. I'm not focusing on his matches. It's good that he wins and I'm happy for him. My main goal is to keep focused."

For the record, Hewitt and Clijsters are said to have met at the Australian Open last year, but the romance didn't bloom until the Ericsson Open in Miami last March. By the French Open, he had been to Belgium to meet the parents. In December, when Hewitt was struggling with a breathing ailment that has since been diagnosed as a sinus problem, he was still prepared to act as warm-up partner for Clijsters before one of her biggest matches, against Martina Hingis in the final at Hilderstadt (she lost).

Clijsters is Flemish-Belgian and thus fluent in three languages: Dutch, French and English. She handled the inevitable questions about Hewitt in the latter tongue fluently, with good grace and without a skerrick of hostility.

Hewitt has his matches, she has hers. Neither will be distracted. But so long as they keep winning, the questions about Lleyton and Kim will keep coming.

Early struggle might keep Hewitt around longer Down Under

      Jan. 16, 2001
      by Mike Lurie, sportsline.com staff writer

      Now that Lleyton Hewitt has survived his opening-round match at the
      Australian Open, it will be entertaining to follow every one of his
      encounters during the next two weeks.
      When a Grand Slam comes around, these are the story lines that are so
      often worthwhile -- the player who barely escaped the opening round
      and ends up advancing deep into the event or winning it all.
      Such is the beauty of any tournament structure. Witness March Mayhem
      last year, when Florida needed a running jumper from Mike Miller at
      the buzzer to beat Butler in the opening round of the NCAA
      Tournament. The Gators eventually advanced to the championship game.
      In tennis, perhaps the most vivid recent memory of this phenomenon is
      Jimmy Connors. The year was 1991, the tournament the U.S. Open.
      The event barely had hit its stride when Connors and Patrick McEnroe
      took stadium court. They put on an epic evening match that saw
      Connors rally from a two-set deficit.
      He was 39 during that Open. His ride continued into the semifinal and
      energized the tennis world.
      He was an American on his own turf, just as Hewitt performed Tuesday
      on his native soil in Australia.
      Facing Jonas Bjorkman on Tuesday, Hewitt had one of those experiences
      similar to Connors' in 1991.
      The only differences might be that Connors a) wasn't necessarily
      expected to get out of the first round against an opponent such as
      McEnroe and b) Hewitt never faced a match point.
      That isn't to say he wasn't scared, though.
      The only moment that afforded Hewitt, 19, some breathing room was the
      double-fault Bjorkman delivered to lose his serve at 2-3 in the fifth
      set.
      With that moment of good fortune, Hewitt pumped his fist, engaged a
      supportive crowd and held serve the rest of the way for a 7-5, 4-6,
      2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
      When a player moves beyond this kind of jarring experience, strange
      and often uplifting things can happen.
      Maybe a greater appreciation for playing another day serves as a
      reminder to take nothing for granted.
      There is new life, new energy, new purpose. Just like Todd Martin
      discovered in 1999 when he withstood a two-set deficit in a U.S. Open
      fourth-round match and went all the way to the final.
      Martin even funneled that same kind of purpose a year later into
      something more.
      It's hard to forget the way he bounced back from another two-set
      deficit last summer to win a fourth-round match over Carlos Moya,
      slapping the hands of the 300 or so fans who remained behind on a
      frigid night at 1:30 a.m.
      At the very least, Hewitt should have a renewed sense of purpose this
      week as he attempts to push away the roadblocks toward the
      quarterfinals and a closer glimpse of a championship match.
      First, he needs to improve the condition of his right leg.
      "The adrenaline is still pumping," Hewitt told reporters in
      Australia. "I was really hurting out there. I twinged my hamstring in
      practice a couple of days ago and that's why I had to have treatment.
      I hung in there and thank God it was enough."
      Hanging in there is what Boris Becker did during the summer of 1985
      at Wimbledon. Few would have cared or even noticed had he not
      survived a couple of early round scares.
      When it was all over, he emerged as the unseeded wunderkind who won
      Wimbledon at age 17 with a four-set championship victory over Kevin
      Curren.
      It would not be a major surprise to see Hewitt win this Australian
      Open, even if the men's field is so open that there is fierce
      competition on all fronts.
      "Davis Cups and Grand slams are all you live for as a tennis player,"
      Hewitt said. "I'm going to go out there and try and give it
      everything I've got."
      From a player who already possesses one of the best energy levels in
      the game, those are words to heed as his trek through Melbourne lives
      for another round.
      Lobs and volleys
      · Based on their early appearances, Venus and Serena Williams will
      make as strong a splash with their custom-designed outfits as their
      terrific play. Venus told reporters in Melbourne she didn't design
      the revealing outfit she wore in her opening-round defeat of Maria
      Jose Martinez.
      · Gustavo Kuerten, the No. 1 men's seed, wants to end a string of
      early round exits in Australia. For the past four years he hasn't
      lasted past the second round. That might hold true again when he
      faces big-serving Briton Greg Rusedski in the second round.
      · Hewitt also has a real test in the second round when he faces
      Germany's Tommy Haas. Haas beat Hewitt this month in a quarterfinal
      in Adelaide, Australia.
      · Embarrassment so far for those of us who were predicting big things
      for Marcelo Rios in 2001. Maybe the former world No. 1 will have a
      strong year, but he hasn't started it out well. Spain's Carlos Moya
      had little problem with Rios in the first round of the Aussie Open,
      winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-2.

Hewitt storms home
Melbourne, Australia, January 17 ¨C Aussie No.7 survives scare from Swede

Lleyton Hewitt stormed into the second round of the Australian Open courtesy of a five set victory against Swedish battler, Jonas Bjorkman.

In nailing the win the young Aussie helped make Australian Open history. It¡¯s the first time since 1987 that all 16 seeds have survived the opening round of the event.

Hewitt looked shaky in the opening set, conceding an early break to allow Bjorkman to draw first blood in what was to become an epic.

The Aussie fired up and fought back in the second and third sets but his nose was never far enough ahead to feel comfortable.

The Swede levelled the titanic struggle in the fourth, both competitors looking strong as they hustled into the decider.

Despite an obvious hamstring injury it was Hewitt, the younger player by seven years, whose legs held up best allowing him to make the break in the final set. He led 4-2, served for 5-2 and finally closed out the match on his fifth match point on Bjorkman¡¯s serve, with a stunning shot past the Swede and into the open court.

A standing ovation greeted both players at the conclusion of the contest and many considered Bjorkman was unlucky not to score a straight sets win having dominated the opening two and a half sets.

It was a gutsy performance from both players and Hewitt will go into his second round encounter with Tommy Haas knowing he¡¯s survived the scare of his life.

¡°The adrenaline is still pumping,¡± said the 20-year-old, ¡°I gave it everything out there, thank God it was enough.¡±

Hewitt was grateful to his loyal band of supporters for their vocal encouragement during the match. ¡°It was a really tough fight and I owe it to the fans who really tried to pull me through, I couldn¡¯t have done it without them.¡±

Hewitt will need to recover quickly for his match-up with German Tommy Haas, who beat him in the Open warm-up tournament in Adelaide. ¡°It¡¯s a big bonus coming through a tough match like that but it doesn¡¯t get any easier does it,¡± he joked.

Hewitt wins thriller

Australia's Lleyton Hewitt collapsed to his knees, as much in relief as in jubilation, after surviving a near four-hour marathon against Swede Jonas Bjorkman to advance to the second round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Hewitt, the number seven seed, needed three hours and 44 minutes to down Bjorkman 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 in the early hours today.

His victory meant all 16 men's seeds survived the first round and Hewitt joined Pat Rafter, Wayne Arthurs and Andrew Ilie in a strong four-pronged assault by Australia's men in the round of 64.

But the exuberant South Australian had to call on all his renowed courage to get past 44th ranked Bjorkman, whose form revived memories of his quarter-final appearance here in 1998.

As 19-year-old Hewitt slowly began to wear down an opponent nine years his senior, the Melbourne Park crowd increased their support with Hewitt's usual excitable style whipping them into a frenzy by the final set.

And when he clinched victory with a forehand passing shot, with Bjorkman stranded at the net, Hewitt fell to his knees in the manner made famous by the great Swede Bjorn Borg in the late 1970s.

Afterwards Hewitt said the crowd played a major role in his win, saying it was great to play in front of a hometown crowd after battling a partisan Spanish crowd during the Davis Cup final in Barcelona in December.

"It was a tough fight out there," he said.

"I owe the crowd a hell of a lot for the support they gave me."

Hewitt needed treatment for a hamstring injury in the third set, saying he suffered a twinge, while Bjorkman also battled foot problems later in the match as the hard court took its toll on both players.

The South Australian is in a tough section of the draw and now has to face 23rd ranked German Tommy Haas in the second round with either big serving Swiss Marc Rosset or former Australian Open finalist Carlos Moya in the third round -- if he gets past Haas.

"The draw certainly doesn't get any easier," Hewitt said.

Haas beat Hewitt on his way to winning the AAPT Championship in Adelaide earlier this month, however the Australian is confident he can reverse that result when the pair clash in the second round on Thursday.

"I lost to him a couple of weeks ago in Adelaide but I'm a better player now," Hewitt said.

"I didn't have much practice going into Adelaide and getting that win under my belt tonight will do me the world of good."

Hewitt survives
      By PATRICK MILES
      sport.news.com.au
      17jan01

      WITH an extraordinary recovery from a deficit of two sets to one,
      Lleyton Hewitt, the seventh seed, made a dramatic and ultimately
      successful start to his Australian Open campaign in Melbourne last
      night.

      Calling upon all his skills and powers of endurance, the home
      favourite fought back from a position of hopelessness to defeat Jonas
      Bjorkman 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 and advance to the second round.
      This was Hewitt's annual pilgrimage to the tournament he loves the
      most and he somehow found the belief to haul himself up from the
      depths of despair.
      After losing the third set, it appeared Hewitt was on his way out of
      the event, but he dug deep into his soul to produce a remarkable
      victory in three hours and 44 minutes.
      "The adrenalin is still pumping," Hewitt said.
      "It was really quite tough out there.
      "I felt my hamstring starting to tighten up at 2-1 down. I just came
      out and gave it everything I had. Thank God it was enough.
      "The whole Aussie crowd, it was a dream. To come here and, in a grand
      slam, have home advantage. I owe a whole of a lot to the crowd."
      Next up in a tough side of the draw, Hewitt faces the German Tommy
      Haas, who beat the South Australian in his home town of Adelaide two
      weeks ago.
      "It's going to be a big bonus coming through a tough game like that,"
      Hewitt said.
      "Hopefully I'll come out firing.
      The Swedish supporters brought the crowd in Rod Laver Arena to life
      with their soccer-style chants as the man after whom the stadium is
      named looked on.
      They were gathered in a pack, dressed in yellow and blue and singing
      for Bjorkman.
      It was not quite Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona but it must have been
      distracting nevertheless.
      The Swedes were placed conveniently next to the Hewitt camp. One man
      in a bright yellow, waist-length wig sat directly to the left of
      Hewitt's younger sister, Jaslyn, who sat behind the player's
      girlfriend, Kim Clijsters. It was an interesting juxtaposition of
      manes.
      The atmosphere at the start of the match was drenched in excitement.
      It took Hewitt all of four minutes to unleash his first "c'mon" as he
      produced game point on his own serve.
      Bjorkman, whose best result in the Australian Open came in 1998 when
      he reached the quarter-finals, had to save the first break point at
      2-2, which he achieved when Hewitt's return of serve tipped the net
      and flew wide.
      The teenager was forced to stave off two set points when he served at
      4-5 but he clung on and completed the game with an ace.
      In the next game, Bjorkman gave way when Hewitt attacked him at the
      net, then the South Australian wrapped up the first set in 54
      minutes.
      Bjorkman lost his serve again in the first game of the second set but
      redressed the balance at 3-2 when Hewitt whacked a forehand long.
      At 4-5, Hewitt's first serve failed him as Bjorkman forced the issue
      by chipping and charging the net. A Hewitt backhand that landed
      narrowly wide brought up a set point, which the Swede grabbed with a
      deep approach and backhand volley.
      Hewitt fell behind in the third set when he netted two backhands ina
      row to hand Bjorkman a break for 4-2.
      At the end of the following game, Hewitt called forth the
      physiotherapist and took a three-minute injury break for treatment on
      his right thigh.
      He continued to struggle, however, and lost his serve immediately for
      the Swede to take the lead two sets to one.
      At 2-3 in the fourth set, in a game which went to deuce six times,
      Hewitt saved three break points to stay in the match.
      He struck back in the next game to break Bjorkman with a backhand
      cross-court volley.
      After Hewitt held his serve, Bjorkman stepped up to save the set but
      at 15-40 an errant forehand from the Swede took the match into a
      fifth set.
      Bjorkman saved a break point in the second game of the deciding set
      as Hewitt called upon all his tenacity to turn the match his way.
      Urged on by the crowd, Hewitt produced two break points at 2-3 and
      won the second when Bjorkman served a double fault.
      Bjorkman faced three match points at 2-5. He saved two but on the
      last offered Hewitt an easy forehand to complete a draining victory
      in the first hour of this morning.
      Hewitt, who reached the fourth round last year before losing to
      another Swede, Magnus Norman, was aiming to go four victories better
      this time and become the first Australian since Mark Edmondson in
      1976 to win his home grand slam.
      His New York experience last year, when he reached the semi-finals at
      Flushing Meadows, was his most successful in a grand slam and the
      memory of playing Pete Sampras in the US Open was there to call upon.

      The 19-year-old arrived in Melbourne with another Sydney title under
      his belt but also with a suspected sinus problem that had been
      affecting him in various ways since August last year.
      He has "played through it" a number of times, including in Barcelona,
      where he defeated Spain's Albert Costa in five sets on the first day
      of the Davis Cup final.
      - - -


Warrior Lleyton digs deep to stay in the race

By Richard Hinds and Karen Lyon

Lleyton Hewitt's conduct has sometimes been questioned, but never his courage. Last night the 19-year-old Australian produced one of the most memorable comebacks of his career, battling injury and a wily opponent to stave off first-round elimination from the Australian Open.

Trailing Swede Jonas Bjorkman two sets to one, and facing break points in the fourth, it seemed Hewitt's promising lead-up to the tournament would again amount to nought. Instead, he rallied and somehow changed the momentum to win 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2.

It seemed Hewitt, who relies so heavily on his blistering speed, would hobble out of the tournament when late in the third set he called for a trainer to treat his right hamstring.

Yet, having seen off the break points in the fifth game of the fourth set, suddenly Hewitt's seemingly endless reserves of fitness and tenacity came into play. With Bjorkman having fired his best shots, the Australian suddenly sensed an opening and willed his way through.

Both players had their chances in the nail-biting final set, with Bjorkman holding a break point in the fourth game.

But the Swede cracked first, serving a double-fault to hand Hewitt a 4-2 lead and, eventually, the match.

From early in the match Bjorkman had success by charging the net, and he held two set points at 5-4 in the first.

However, Hewitt produced a couple of big serves - and the predictable war cry after each - to work his way out of trouble.

With Hewitt leading by a set, with a service break in the second, the match took an unexpected twist.

Suddenly Bjorkman started to find his range and, with his confidence up, even began to mock the Australian by mimicking his bizarre fist-pumping after breaking his serve.

Hewitt conceded the second set with a double-fault and then, perhaps hampered by the leg injury, seemed to lose his composure altogether in the third. Trailing 2-5, Hewitt called an injury time-out and a trainer to massage his right hamstring.

However, he could do nothing to save the set.

As ever, the whiff of victory proved irresistible to Hewitt. Countless times his serve had gotten him out of trouble and he used it to close out the match and keep alive his Australian Open dream.

Hewitt next plays the big-hitting Tommy Haas of Germany, a semi-finalist here in 1999 and one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the men's draw.

The German No1, who won the men's hardcourt championship in Adelaide two weeks ago, defeated Nicolas Massu from Chile 6-3 6-1 6-1 yesterday.

"I'm in pretty good form obviously, winning Adelaide, even playing some good tennis in Sydney, making the second round there," Haas said. "I feel good, I'm having fun."

No1 seed Gustavo Kuerten, who has never gone past the second round here, overcame a groin strain and Gaston Gaudio of Argentina to set up a showdown with big-serving British No2 Greg Rusedski.

Emotional victory for Aussie wonder
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Sandra Harwitt (AUS Open Site)

Despite the ever-confident persona that Lleyton Hewitt wears so comfortably,
there is the question whether the 19-year-old South Australian knows how to
make the most of his gift for the game.

For instance, does he peak too soon during the Australian Summer Circuit and
not leave enough in reserve for the Australian Open?

The fact that the teen was backed into a corner by Swede Jonas Bjorkman, and
forced to extend his first round match to five sets, into the wee hours
before taking a 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory in three hours, 42 minutes, could
certainly take its toll on Hewitt for future matches at this Grand Slam.

Last year, he was red-hot leading up to the Open, winning back-to-back titles
at Adelaide and Sydney. By the time he ventured to Melbourne, however, he had
left his best behind and lost to eventual semifinalist Magnus Norman in the
fourth round.

This year, Hewitt arrives at the first Grand Slam of the season having
successfully defended his Sydney title, but only advancing to the
quarterfinals at Adelaide the week before.

In Adelaide he lost to eventual champion Tommy Haas, who just happens to be
Hewitt's opponent in the second round here in Melbourne.

Seeded No.7 at this Australian Open, Hewitt won four of his seven career
titles in 2000. He also posted his best Grand Slam showing of his young
career by reaching the semifinals of the US Open, falling to Pete Sampras in
straight sets.

For the last few months, the Australian teen has been struggling with a sinus
problem that the doctors have had some difficulties pinpointing. There are
suggestions that surgery would alleviate the problem, but that would require
Hewitt taking a number of weeks off the Tour.

Without a doubt, the match between Hewitt and Bjorkman was of an extremely
high calibre and many of the points kept the spectators on the edge of their
seats.

Certainly one of the more entertaining elements of this match was the Swedish
cheerleading squad supporting Bjorkman. Each year the Swedes, normally known
for their placid demeanor, flock to Melbourne to cheer for the Swedish
players and their presence can never be ignored.

Dressed in Swedish blue and yellow, many donning Viking helmets with horns,
the group of approximately 30 Swedes chanted "Jonas Bjorkman, Jonas Bjorkman."

In the end, however, they could not deliver their countryman to victory.

At 5-4 in the first set, Bjorkman failed to capitalize on two set points on
Hewitt's serve in the 10th game. One game later, a pumped Hewitt took
advantage of a break point opportunity to go ahead 6-5 and then serve out the
set.

In the second and third sets, Bjorkman made sure not to squander his
opportunities.

Leading 5-4, 30-40, Bjorkman took advantage of the break point chance with an
exquisite backhand crosscourt volley. Then stealing a move from Hewitt's
repertoire, Bjorkman pumped his fist excitedly towards his loyal fans.

The third set leaned Bjorkman's way in the sixth game when Hewitt, serving,
netted a backhand at advantage-out. Another break in the eighth game when
Hewitt double-faulted at 30-40 provided the Swede with a two-sets-to-one lead.

Hewitt faced a scare in the sixth game of the fourth set when he handed
Bjorkman a service break opportunity. In the long point at 30-40, Bjorkman
just looped a forehand over the baseline to lose the advantage. The
Australian saved two more break points in the sixth game to even the score at
3-all in the fourth set.

The very next game turned the fourth set to Hewitt's favor when at 30-40, on
a very competitive point, he hit an unreturnable backhand volley.

Bjorkman ended his own hopes of a first round victory in the sixth game of
the final set. Although he saved a break point at 15-40, he double-faulted on
the next point to put Hewitt ahead 4-2 and in position for victory.

On his third match point on Bjorkman's serve in the eighth game, Hewitt
finally ended the evening.

Both players had visits from the trainer for minor problems during the match
- Hewitt with a right hamstring injury right before the eighth game of the
third set and Bjorkman with a foot wrapping after the seventh game of the
fourth set.
END--www.ausopen.org/news/

Tennis-Hewitt survives difficult opening match

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Hometown favourite Lleyton Hewitt beat Sweden's
Jonas Bjorkman 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 in an epic first-round match at the
Australian Open on Tuesday.

The Adelaide teenager, ranked seventh in the world, overcame a thigh injury
to fight his way back from a set down and win a marathon match lasting more
than three-and-a-half hours on the Melbourne Park centre court.

"I was really hurting out there. I came out there and gave it everything I
had and thank God it was enough," Hewitt said. "It really was a tough fight
out there."

The 19-year-old Australian was in danger of making an early exit when he lost
the second and third sets after getting treatment to his right leg.

But he fought back to break Bjorkman twice in the fourth set then twice more
in the final set to seal victory, falling to his knees when he hit the final
winner.

"It's going to be a big bonus coming through a tough match like that," he
said.

Hewitt will meet Tommy Haas in the second round on Thursday after the German
beat Nicolas Massu of Chile in straight sets earlier in the day.

Hewitt went into his match against 28-year-old Bjorkman as a strong favourite
after beating world number four Magnus Norman in Saturday's Sydney
international final.

But he quickly learnt that he had a fight on his hands against the evergreen
Swede who was once ranked fourth in the world and won the Australian Open
doubles with Pat Rafter two years ago and Jacco Eltingh three years back.

Hewitt, whose fist-pumping antics have won him as many critics as admirers,
saved a set point with an ace before taking the opening set 7-5 in 54
minutes.

Bjorkman, playing serve and volley, squared the match when he took the second
set then went two sets to one ahead after Hewitt's thigh began to play up in
the third.

With seven ATP titles already under his belt, Hewitt does not lack courage
and he demonstrated his fighting abilities by forcing the match into a
deciding fifth set.

He gained the vital break when Bjorkman double-faulted twice in the fifth
game then clinched victory with a forehand winner.

08:47 01-16-01

Tennis-Hewitt sends warning to rivals
By Julian Linden

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt won a
five-set marathon to keep alive his dream of a first grand slam title.

Hewitt beat evergreen Swede Jonas Bjorkman 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 in an epic clash lasting more than
three-and-a-half hours.
Australia have not produced a local winner since Mark Edmondson in 1976 but
see a potential champion in Hewitt, the Adelaide teenager whose fist-pumping
antics have won him as many critics as admirers.

The 19-year-old Hewitt is already ranked seventh in the world and came into
the open after winning the Sydney international for a second time but looked
in danger of making an early exit when he was trailing two sets to one and
needed treatment to his hamstring.

But Hewitt fought his way to a fifth set and victory.

"I was really hurting out there. I came out there and gave it everything I
had and thank God it was enough," he said.

"It's going to be a big bonus coming through a tough match like that," he
said.

Refreshed Hewitt ready for Australian Open
By Julian Linden

MELBOURNE, Jan 14 (Reuters) - A year older, a year wiser, Australian teenager
Lleyton Hewitt has finally agreed to change his approach to tennis to improve
his chances of winning this month's Australian Open.

A year ago, the Adelaide teenager went into the first grand slam of the year
on a 10-match winning streak with two titles under his belt, only to run out
of puff and fall in the fourth round.

He won another two tournaments and made the U.S. Open semifinals to finish
the year ranked seventh in the world but his punishing programme and
relentless will to win finally caught up with him.

By the end of the season, Hewitt's motor was starting to splutter. He was
having problems breathing and was struggling to finish his matches.

Doctors eventually diagnosed a sinus blockage but the underlying problem was
that the player was in danger of burnout and needed a rest.

With the 2001 season starting in his native Australia, Hewitt would have been
tempted to continue where he left off the previous year but wisely agreed to
take it easy this time.

He quit playing doubles, deliberately went into the defence of his Australian
hardcourt underdone and was subsequently knocked out early.

RENEWED ENERGY
His lack of match fitness almost saw him make an early exit at last week's
Sydney international but his master plan kicked in. He steadily began to
improve the further he progressed and eventually won the title, beating world
number four Magnus Norman in the final.

"I feel completely different from last year," said Hewitt, 19. "I think I'm
getting better and better with each match rather than trying to stay at the
level I was at a year ago.

"So far it's paying off. I feel like I'm getting some of that energy back in
the legs out on the court.

"I feel like if I can get through the the first couple of rounds and get deep
into the tournament, then I have a definite chance."

Norman said he was impressed with Hewitt's new approach and could see nothing
to stop the pony-tailed teenager from winning the Australian Open.

"He can go all the way. He's one of the favourites," the Swede said.

"He's a winner. One day sooner or later I think he's going to win a grand
slam."

UNDER PRESSURE
Norman's only reservation was whether Hewitt would cope with the pressure of
trying to give Australia its first home-grown champion since Mark Edmondson
beat John Newcombe in 1976.

"He's playing under a lot of pressure in Melbourne -- everybody wants to beat
him but he's mentally very strong," Norman said.

"If you're going to beat him you're going to have to play very well."

But Hewitt said he was not worried about the pressure of winning and said he
would use the crowd's support to inspire him rather than weigh him down.

"I think the (Australian) guys in the past have struggled playing in
Australia just because of weight of expectations but I don't really feel
that," Hewitt said.

"I feel that this is where I was brought up. The conditions suit me, the
courts suit me, the climate.

"There's so many bonuses for me. Plus I've got the crowd on my side."

Australians hopeful Hewitt can capture Open title
By Stephen Wood

MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters)(DS) - If national pride and a love for the
intensity of battle count for anything, Lleyton Hewitt should emerge from
this year's Australian Open as a teenage
Grand Slam champion.

The pony-tailed 19-year-old, who refers to himself as 'Rocky' after the
fictional prize fighter, has run into impressive form in the build-up to the
first major of the season.

And after showing great promise for the last two seasons Hewitt is now eager
to experience the joy of winning a 'big one'.

"I am desperate to win every point and every match wherever I go," he says
with typical intensity.

Hewitt will be leading the youngsters' charge at Melbourne Park as the new
breed, including world numbers one and two Gustavo Kuerten and Marat Safin,
looks to oust last year's champion Andre Agassi.

The home crowds may give the sentimental vote to Pat Rafter, the Australian
whose plan to retire at the end of the year would make this his last
appearance at the Open, but most serious eyes will be trained on Hewitt to
provide a home champion.

An Australian hasn't lifted the men's crown since Mark Edmondson beat John
Newcombe in 1976.

DEMANDING ROUTE
Hewitt, the world number seven, faces a demanding route to the final in what
promises to be one of the most open grand slams for years.

He has the likes of top-seeded Brazilian Kuerten and fifth-seeded Russian
Yevgeny Kafelnikov for company in the top half of the draw.

Even his first round opponent, the former world number four Jonas Bjorkman,
could cause him problems.

It is a relief for him that Agassi, Sampras and Safin are hidden away in the
bottom half.
Not that Hewitt is one to shirk a challenge.

While trying to overcome a mystery virus that has caused him to occasionally
"forget how to breathe", his dynamic, all-round game is perfect for the
Rebound Ace hard courts of Melbourne
Park.

"Sometimes the most difficult of conditions bring out the best in me," he
said.

"My game has improved technically, but I haven't changed as a person over the
last two years. My attitude is just the same as it was when I was playing
challenger events in Perth in 1999.

MOTIVATION
Sampras, at 29, has not recently displayed the same hunger for success.

But the Australian Open champion of 1994 and '97 insists that while his
recent marriage to actress Brigitte Wilson has helped him enjoy life outside
tennis, the motivation to win when he picks up a racket remains intact.

"I want success as badly as I ever have done," he said.

"Sure, the pressure is off me this year, but I will still be expecting myself
to do well."

Agassi is also pushing back the tide. "When you get older and wiser, you
appreciate all the challenges and the thrills still available to you," the
30-year-old said.

"Talk of retirement and a younger generation of players coming through makes
you think twice about your place in the game - but it can also motivate us
oldies even more."

Question marks surrounding Safin and Kuerten accentuate Hewitt's claim as the
leading young pretender.

ELBOW INJURY
Safin, the Russian US Open champion, suffered a recurrence of an elbow injury
in the run-up to the Open.

He has been named in the draw - and it is has been relatively kind to the
20-year-old - but there are no guarantees that he will appear at Melbourne
Park.

Kuerten, Safin's nemesis last year, has acquired superstar status in his
native Brazil since ending the year as world number one at the Masters Cup in
Lisbon in December - the first South American to achieve the feat since
rankings were invented in 1973.

His mastery of technique and flair for shot-making mean he is a worthy top
seed, but the 24-year-old has never progressed beyond the second round at the
Australian Open in four years of trying.

While Magnus Norman, the fourth seed from Sweden, Britain's Tim Henman and
Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero, eighth and ninth seeds respectively, are
dangerous floaters all eager to secure their first ever grand slam title, the
field provides one more serious contender in the shape of Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

Kafelnikov has been in imperious form since the new season started and
Australia always seems to bring the best out of the 26-year-old.

As well as winning the Australian Open in 1999, Kafelnikov finished runner-up
last season and took the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in September.

"My expectations are definitely high, because I am playing so well and I feel
so relaxed," he said.

END--http://www.dailysoccer.com/news/text/tennis/20010112/mdf24228.html