Roddick conquers Hewitt, gets Federer next August 20, 2005 MASON, Ohio (Ticker) - Andy Roddick let out a loud scream after posting a rare victory over Lleyton Hewitt. Unfortunately for the American, he next faces an opponent against whom he has had even less success. The fifth-seeded Roddick defeated third-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), on Saturday night to set up a marquee final with top seed and world No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland at the $2.45 million Western & Southern Financial Group Masters, a U.S. Open warmup event. Earlier Saturday, defending U.S. Open champion Federer rallied past unseeded American Robby Ginepri, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4, in a rain-delayed encounter. Roddick had been just 1-6 lifetime against Hewitt with losses in their last three meetings, all on hard courts. But Roddick, the 2003 Cincinnati champion who went on to win his sole Grand Slam at the U.S. Open a few weeks later, was slightly better in this one, firing 23 aces - including a pair on the final two points of the tiebreak. After ending the match with an ace up the middle, Roddick screamed and pumped his arms in celebration. Unfortunately for Roddick, he is just 1-9 all-time against Federer, dropping the last five encounters. One of those came in straight sets in last month's Wimbledon final.   Federer, Roddick advance to Cincinnati Masters final

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer August 20, 2005   MASON, Ohio (AP) -- Heat. Wind. Thunder. Drizzle. Roger Federer took everything that the afternoon and Robby Ginepri could throw at him, and found a way to overcome it.   Federer rallied for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 semifinal victory Saturday in the $2.45 million Cincinnati Masters, leaving no doubt that the world's No. 1 player is back in form and ready for the U.S. Open's top spot. Federer will try for his ninth tournament title of the season Sunday against Andy Roddick, who beat third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the other semifinal. History weighs against Roddick, who is 1-9 career against Federer and has lost their last five matches, including the last two Wimbledon finals. Overall, Federer has won the last 21 times he reached a tournament final. ``I play my best in the finals, in the important matches,'' Federer said. ``That's why I'm No. 1.'' He took five weeks off after winning his third consecutive Wimbledon title, getting some rest and letting a sore foot heal. Federer was out of sync when he showed up in Cincinnati, looking to regain his edge and confidence. A few matches were all he needed.   ``I really feel I've got my confidence back,'' said Federer, who is 63-3 this season, including 37-1 on hard courts. ``My footwork is back, the eye is back -- watching the ball, reading the game. Definitely I'm feeling really good right now.''   He extended his winning streak to 17 matches under trying conditions, facing an American who was on a summer-long roll and had the crowd behind him. They'd faced each other once before, when Ginepri was an awed 18-year-old at the 2001 U.S. Open. He was overwhelmed by the setting and the opponent, losing a lopsided second-round match in straight sets. This time, Ginepri knew he belonged and took Federer to the limit. Playing on a broiling, 94-degree afternoon in wind gusts that toyed with shots, Ginepri used his biggest advantage -- his accurate serve -- to full advantage. Ginepri had lost only one game on his serve all week, and was the only player who hadn't dropped a set heading into the semifinals. Ginepri broke Federer's serve to go up 5-4 in the first set, setting up the break point by swatting an overhead back at him. He screamed ``Yeah!'' when his crosscourt forehand closed out the set. ``I think he was a little uptight in the first few games of the first set,'' said Ginepri, who stayed calm throughout his first ATP Masters semifinal. ``It was a little gusty out there -- that could have been a factor as well.'' Not for long. Sensing his predicament, Federer played his best. ``I'm not allowed to make any more mistakes or it's all over,'' Federer summed up. ``I was aware of that.''   Federer broke Ginepri's serve to take the second set 7-5. The third set also stayed on serve until the final game, when Ginepri sailed a backhand return wide to lose serve and the match.   A thunderstorm was only minutes away when Federer went to the net to shake Ginepri's hand. The match also had an 8-minute rain delay in the second set. It was no surprise that Federer had to use all his weapons -- 12 aces, accurate drop shots, line-hugging ground strokes -- to pull it out against a wild card. Ginepri is having his best summer on the tour, winning his second career ATP title at Indianapolis last month. A first-round loss at Wimbledon inspired him to work harder on his game -- he spends an extra 45 minutes a day in practice and an additional 45 minutes working out. With a sculpted body and a sharper focus, Ginepri has gone 14-3 on hard courts this year. He had only three unforced errors while knocking off Marat Safin to reach the semifinals. Federer was another matter, giving him only one break point during the match and making the most important shots in the last two sets. ``It's anybody's match out there when you're that close,'' said Ginepri, still brooding about the loss. ``I thought I was playing good enough to win.'' Against anyone else, perhaps. The crowd favored Roddick in the other semifinal, urging him on after he skinned his right elbow and the back of his right hand while taking control of the first set. Roddick slipped while running down a drop shot, tapped it back over the net for a point, then slid hard on the court. He winced in pain when he got up, but kept playing and broke Hewitt two points later for a 4-3 lead that held. Both players held serve in the second set, sending it to the tiebreaker. Roddick had four aces in the tiebreaker -- and 23 overall -- as he got a breakthrough win. Roddick had been 1-6 career against Hewitt, losing all five times they played on a hard court. He repeatedly pumped his fist, then buried his face in a towel after finishing it off with a 133 mph ace.     Updated on Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 8:32 pm EDT Email to a Friend | View Popular

Hewitt to face Roddick
From correspondents in Cincinnati, Ohio
August 20, 2005

AUSTRALIA'S Lleyton Hewitt today extended his bid for a second title this year, beating Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-2 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the $US2.45 million ($3.26 million) ATP Cincinnati Masters.

The world No.3 advances to a semi-final against American Andy Roddick in a key clash for both players ahead of the US Open starting on August 29 in New York.

"It got better and better," said Hewitt, who is finally healthy after a stomach virus last week.

"It's the best that I've played all week, so that's a huge positive. It's good to play a guy like Davydenko.

"He's not easy, but you've got to play well to beat him," said Hewitt, a two-time finalist in the event.

"It's good to see where your game's at and really test yourself a week before the Open."

Roddick eliminated Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 2-6 6-3 6-4.

The world No.5 lost his serve in the first game, which temporarily put him on the back foot. But the American quickly recovered.

"It was almost easier to recover from that (losing the first set 6-2) than it would be like a 7-6 or something like that. I just tried to start with a clean slate," Roddick said.

Roddick, whose only Grand Slam title came at the US Open two years ago, is prepared for a battle against the always combative Hewitt, against whom he has won only one of seven matches.

"We've had a lot of close matches and I haven't come out on the better end of them, which is a little rare for me," Roddick said.

"I want to get another crack at these guys. The only way that I'm going to beat them is by playing them and putting myself in position enough times."

World No.1 Roger Federer lined up a semi-final with the hottest of the current American hopes, crushing Jose Acasuso 6-4 6-3 to storm into title contention.

Switzerland's Federer showed his layoff of more than a month after lifting a third straight Wimbledon title had done no harm as he rolled over his outclassed Argentine challenger.

"I feel I'm getting close to my best form," Federer said. "I've been able to groove my game this week. I'm happy with the way it's going."

Federer, bidding for a 31st career trophy and ninth this season, advanced to a semi-final tomorrow against resurgent 58th-ranked Robby Ginepri, who upset two-time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin 6-2 6-3.

With Ginepri cutting down on the unforced errors, Safin self-destructed, smashing a ball out of the stadium and throwing his racket in disgust at his performance

"I just tried to stick to my game. That's what I've been doing all week," said Ginepri, who won the title in Indianapolis earlier this summer.

Safin, who is still struggling with a left knee injury, said he had half-expected a bad performance.

"I woke up this morning and didn't have any energy," he said.

"I couldn't really run enough and it's a little bit to be expected as I couldn't practise for a month and a half.

"I am now going to take a week off, not play New Haven (where he had been given a wildcard), and get ready for the US Open.

"It's probably not enough matches, but it could have been worse. I beat some good players and could have lost first round here and first round in New Haven."

With Reuters

 

 

Hewitt picks up pace
From corresponents in Cincinnati, Ohio,
August 19, 2005

Playing his first event since Wimbledon after undergoing knee therapy in Italy in place of surgery, fourth-seeded Safin plans on playing himself into form.

The Russian Australian Open champion got through a difficult opening game before routing Dominik Hrbaty 6-0 6-3, winning the first eight games before the Slovak had a look-in.

Third seed Hewitt continued to patch up his game after a stomach illness last week, picking up his pace at the expense of Croatia's Mario Ancic 6-1 6-4.

"I really struggled on serve in my first two matches but it went a lot better today," said Hewitt, a losing finalist here in 2002 and 2004.

"I had to try for a high percentage of first serves to get as many cheap points points as possible."

Hewitt, forced to pull out last week for the second time in his career in his Montreal opener, said his fitness is improving by the day.

"It was a struggle early on, but it's getting better," said last year's US Open runner-up to Roger Federer. "My first couple of rounds were a bit scratchy, but this is some good preparation for the US Open."
Hewitt broke Ancic twice in the first set and got on top of the Croatian midway through the second on the way to victory.

 

Cashed up: Hewitt sports his idol's headwear
Leo Schlink
18aug05

DENIED as a youngster in his pursuit of the most famous headband in tennis, Lleyton Hewitt finally has a piece of Pat Cash -- 17 years on.

Hewitt yesterday donned one of fellow Wimbledon winner Cash's trademark black-and-white headbands after recently telephoning the 1987 champion to put in a request for the gear.

Explaining to Cash he could never lay his hands on one of the Victorian's sweat-laden discards at the Australian Open, Hewitt asked the former world No. 4 if he had any supplies. Cash, now 40, was more than happy to oblige.

Hewitt's father Glynn last night confirmed his son used to idolise Cash.

"We used to go to the Australian Open when Lleyton and (his sister) Jaslyn were small and Lleyton would hang over the rail after 'Cashy's' matches and try to get a headband," Hewitt Sr said. "Cashy used to throw his headbands into the crowd, but Lleyton could never get one. He'd get pushed out of the way.

"He rang Pat a little while ago and Cashy had some headbands sent to Lleyton."

Hewitt is wearing unbranded gear as clothing manufacturers jostle for his signature after his departure from Nike. It is understood Hewitt will next week switch to Yonex.

Hewitt yesterday accelerated his push towards a second US Open title with a straight-sets victory over talented Russian Igor Andreev.

The world No. 4 showed he was over the stomach illness that forced him to forfeit the opening match of his hardcourt season campaign in Montreal last week with a 6-3 6-4 win.

"I didn't eat for about four or five days," Hewitt said. "So it hit me pretty bad. I felt a little bit awkward the last few days just training, getting back into the routine of things again. I'm definitely a lot better than a week ago."

The win earned him a second round match-up with a resurgent Greg Rusedski. The pair share a 3-3 record but have not met since the Briton beat Hewitt in straight sets at the Indianapolis hardcourt tournament three years ago.

Hewitt recovers to sink Rusedski August 17