Davis Cup Semifinals
September 19, 2003
Atptennis.com
Australia vs Switzerland
The opening day finished with both nations tied at 1-1. Last year's world number 1, Lleyton Hewitt gave Australia an early advantage in a routine defeat of Michel Kratochvil. However, hopes of the host nation going ahead 2-0 at the end of the day were then dashed by an in-form Roger Federer. Federer proved too strong for Mark Philippousis and levelled the tie at 1-1.
(7)Lleyton Hewitt d Michel Kratochvil 64 64 61
These two had met once before in 2001. Hewitt won 64 62.
Hewitt has never lost a Davis Cup match on hard court.
Kratochvil has only won one live Davis Cup rubber in his career. That win came earlier this year against the Netherlands (d. Verkerk).
What Hewitt Said: "I had a high percentage of serves, a lot higher than usual. I tried to mix it up as much as possible there as well and just keep him under a lot of pressure. I tried to use the crowd to my advantage, that's what they are there for and it was a great atmosphere. I tried to not let him have a chance to sneak back in. I just really took it one game at a time."
On playing Federer next: "It will be a tough match, every match I have played against Roger has been tough and he's playing as well as he's ever played at the moment so I'm expecting an extremely tough one so I have to go out there and play even better than I did in this one ... play one of my best Davis Cup matches to get through."
Roger Federer d Mark Philippoussis 63 64 76(3)
Roger Federer continues his scintillating form in Davis Cup. The Swiss star has won his last nine Davis Cup singles matches. His last loss came in 2001 (to
Escude).
Federer is also due to play in the doubles on Saturday.
This year Philippoussis is playing Davis Cup after a two year hiatus.
Philippoussis orchestrated Australia's last Davis Cup triumph in 1999 (d. France) by winning both his singles rubbers in Nice, France.
Federer improves to a 4-1 career head to head against Philippoussis. The Australian's only win came this year in Hamburg on clay.
What Federer Said: "He fought back and I really had to give everything in the third set. I wanted to get it over in three because anything can happen if it goes past that.
"It's tough to say what changed (in that third set). I spoke to Marc our captain, he thought I was not playing as aggressive as before. I also feel that I missed the chances to win the first few points on the serve which made me start to save a lot of break points. I still thought it was a pity because I didn't play great at that point, and then to also go down a break and let him have a chance to serve it out. That was a little bit uncomfortable. I will try not to be in this position in the next match."
What Philippoussis Said: "He just played too good for me today. Slow start, I then had my chances. On the bigger points I think he just played a lot more solid than I did. Any chance I had he came out with a big serve on a big point. I had my chance when I served for the third set. Obviously that was very important game. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take that."
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Open and shut case for Lleyton
By MARK STEVENS
20sep03
Herald Sun
LLEYTON Hewitt last night conceded even his bullet-proof confidence took a hit when he discovered the Rod Laver Arena roof would be shut ahead of his Davis Cup clash with Michel Kratochvil.
The Australian No. 1, who has battled a cold for two days, had mixed feelings when told 45 minutes before the match that the outdoor tie had suddenly swung indoors.
"It's a lot heavier conditions when the roof's closed in there. With Kratochvil, I actually thought it might be better with the roof open," Hewitt said.
"I tried to block it out, though. Once the decision was made, that was it."
Hewitt dealt with it with his usual brutal efficiency, dispatching the Swiss baseliner and slow court specialist 6-4 6-4 6-1 to give Australia a 1-0 lead.
"I've won enough big matches indoors, and I've played indoors at Rod Laver Arena before," Hewitt said.
As the Melbourne weather outside turned nasty, Hewitt took advantage of what he labelled a "dodgy" Kratochvil serve, making his intentions clear early.
At 30-30 in the first game, Hewitt diverted from his usual style by attacking the net on return of serve. He made the Swiss No. 2 pay for a lack of power of the second serve.
From that service break in the first game, Hewitt was never really under pressure against his 129th-ranked opponent.
Hewitt is looking forward to a rest today ahead of tomorrow's showdown with Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.
"I'm happy to get through today," Hewitt said.
But Hewitt showed no real signs of lethargy in front of a near-capacity crowd, dominated by the chants of the green and gold Fanatics cheer squad.
"My intensity right from the start was pretty high -- just like it is in every Davis Cup match I've played over the last few years," Hewitt said.
"I felt like I served pretty well. Towards the end of the first set I wasn't serving great, and I really got it going in the second and third sets a lot better, I felt.
"I mixed my serve up a lot better in those sets as well, hitting some three-quarter pace kickers and really setting the point up with my forehand from then on."
Hewitt admitted it was a challenge to adjust to being an overwhelming favourite.
"It's different from a few years ago when I had to step out there and play guys like Todd Martin, Cedric Pioline and all these guys who were a lot higher ranked than I was in Davis Cup," Hewitt said.
"He (Kratochvil) really had nothing to lose out there today. No one really expected him to win the match, I guess. You're on a hiding to nothing out there. I thought I handled the situation pretty well today."
Hewitt, who admitted he would have more than a passing interest in today's AFL Collingwood-Port Adelaide preliminary final just across the footbridge, is hoping for a relaxing day watching Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs down Swiss pair Marc Rosset and Federer.
"They (Arthurs and Woodbridge) have been playing well," Hewitt said.
"Todd's very confident in doubles and Wayne's had a pretty good year -- not his best in singles, but he's had some great doubles results as well. I give them a good chance."
Kratochvil lamented a run of unforced errors and the fact his return of serve, usually his strength, broke down under pressure. "I made too many mistakes early in the points," he said. "I was disappointed about my game."
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Hewitt to rain on Swiss parade
By Mark Stevens
September 20, 2003
The Australian
MARK Philippoussis last night declared Roger Federer was far from unbeatable, backing Lleyton Hewitt to "take him out" in the reverse singles.
Federer, who has won his past 10 Davis Cup singles outings, is the man standing between the Australians and the Davis Cup final.
The Swiss superstar, fresh and supremely confident after downing Philippoussis to level the tie at 1-1, will take his superpowers on to court in the doubles today.
He will team with playing captain Marc Rosset against Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs in what is a crucial rubber, before taking on Hewitt in the first of the reverse singles tomorrow.
"I wouldn't think the guy's unbeatable. If Lleyton plays solid, I think Lleyton will take him out," Philippoussis said after Federer's 6-3 6-4 7-6 win.
Philippoussis sensed Federer was vulnerable when the pressure came on in the third set, but lamented not taking advantage as the world No. 3 repeated his Wimbledon triumph against the Scud.
Earlier, Hewitt predictably cruised to a 6-4 6-4 6-1 win over Swiss No. 2 Michel Kratochvil to get the Australia off to a perfect start.
But Federer made sure this would be no whitewash, also warning that he was ready to tackle his hectic schedule head-on.
"I'm used to it and ready for it . . . physically it shouldn't be a problem," Federer said.
Philippoussis was frustrated that he couldn't get off to a bright start, knowing Federer thrived as a front-runner.
"He just played too good for me. The bigger points, he just played a lot more solid that I did," Philippoussis said.
"He came out ready to go. I was one step slow."
Australian captain John Fitzgerald early in the week warned today would be a "sweaty palms kind of day".
It will be even more so now, given Federer's form.
"The middle day's always big, particularly when it's one-all," Fitzgerald said.
The roof was closed for both matches at Rod Laver Arena after Melbourne's weather turned ugly, leaving Fitzgerald feeling disappointed.
Fitzgerald had been keen for an outdoor tie all along, believing it would add to the home tie advantage. "What can you do?" he said.
Hewitt conceded even his bullet-proof confidence took a hit when he discovered the roof would be shut ahead of his clash against Kratochvil.
Hewitt, who has battled a cold for two days, had mixed feelings when told 45 minutes before the match that the roof would be closed.
"It's a lot heavier conditions when the roof's closed in there. With Kratochvil, I actually thought it might be better with the roof open," Hewitt said. "I tried to block it out though. Once the decision was made, that was it; you have to deal with it."
And Hewitt dealt with it with his usual brutal efficiency, dispatching the Swiss baseliner and slow court specialist comfortably to give Australia a 1-0 lead.
"I've won enough big matches indoors, I guess, and I've played indoors at Rod Laver Arena before," Hewitt said.
Hewitt took advantage of what he labelled a "dodgy" Kratochvil serve, making his intentions clear early.
It was obvious Hewitt had a head cold when he fronted the media and is looking forward to a rest today ahead of tomorrow's showdown with Federer.
"I'm happy to get through today," Hewitt said.
But Hewitt showed no real signs of lethargy in front of a near-capacity crowd, dominated by the chants of the Fanatics cheer squad.
Hewitt admitted it was a challenge to adjust to being an overwhelming favourite.
"It's different from a few years ago when I had to step out there and play guys like Todd Martin, Cedric Pioline and all these guys who were a lot higher ranked than I was in Davis Cup," Hewitt said.
"He (Kratochvil) really had nothing to lose out there today. No one really expected him to win the match, I guess. For me, you're on a hiding to nothing out there.
"I thought I handled the situation pretty well today."
Hewitt, who admitted he would have more than a passing interest in today's AFL Collingwood-Port Adelaide preliminary final at the MCG, is hopeful of a relaxing day watching Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs down Rosset and Federer.
"They (Arthurs and Woodbridge) have been playing well," Hewitt said.
"Todd's very confident at the moment in doubles and Wayne's had a pretty good year, not his best in singles, but he's had some great doubles results as well. I give them a good chance."
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Sunny break can't dry reign of winter
September 20, 2003
The Age
Colourful and noisy, top-level tennis has come to Melbourne in September. Some people may even notice, writes Greg Baum.
True to Melbourne's reputation for turning on several seasons in a single day, a Davis Cup tie broke out at Melbourne Park yesterday, right in the middle of the football finals. It had the effect on sensibilities of a sudden cloudburst in the middle of a sunny spring afternoon. The tennis was accordingly mercurial. Lleyton Hewitt eclipsed Michael Kratochvil in the afternoon, but the Wimbledon rematch between Mark Philippoussis and Roger Federer in the cauldron of evening featured all the elements, hot, cold and freakish.
Suddenly, the names and faces of high summer, including the past two Wimbledon winners and this year's Wimbledon finalists, were here to make the sounds and spectacles of high summer. In fact, they have been here all week, but have been swamped for attention by changeless indigenous sporting happenings.
How bemusing it must have been for the Swiss media, increased three-fold since Federer's rise, to hear Hewitt asked for his thoughts about happenings "over the road", and for Hewitt to reply in such a way as to indicate that patriotic fervour for Australia pales next to his patriotic fervour for South Australia.
Grasshoppers v Young Boys of Berne was never this big. Besides, talk of a place called "Port" does not make much sense to the Swiss at the best of times.
But the Davis Cup itself is a disorienting experience, and all the more engaging for it. It bobs up here and there, now and then, relieving the grind of the tour. It is a team event in a fiercely individual sport, and all the more enjoyable to the players for it. Coaches on bended knee cajole players at every change of end in a way that is not only impossible but forbidden on the regular tour.
While Hewitt played yesterday afternoon, 10 others in Australian team tracksuits sat along the sidelines, matching him "c'mon" for "c'mon". When he was done, Hewitt was keener to talk about Philippoussis' prospects than his own performance. He then took on the role of cheer leader. Philippoussis himself, usually the most impassive of tennis players, stalked across the court to question one line call as his match with Federer livened up.
Davis Cup is colourful. The players wear their national liveries, proudly. Philippoussis' strip looked to have been borrowed from the Socceroos or left behind by the Australian one-day team. The fans also come in ritual dress. So it was that the Australians in their gold and the Swiss in their red created two riots of colour and the atmosphere of a carnivale.
It is noisy, officially so. Two years ago, a Swiss fan watching Roger Federer in an Australian Open quarter-final here had his cowbell confiscated, then even a handbell. Yesterday, cowbells rang out loudly, fetchingly and with full approval, countering the trumpets and drums of the Fanatics, and that other noise so readily identified with Australia sport, the ringing of mobile phones. The fact that the roof was closed, though irritating to Australia, amplified the atmosphere of the evening.
Australia broke with tradition for this tie by playing on the existing surface at Melbourne Park. It also insisted on having the roof open. Melbourne ran up and down the scales of its seasons and the roof remained closed anyway. Asked if he had minded, Hewitt replied: "Yes and no."
His match was more straightforward. His recent form has been like that of his beloved Crows - short of the benchmark - but Kratochvil was no match. An early break of serve in the first two sets was enough. In the third set, Hewitt's serve sharpened and Kratochvil's deteriorated, and the Australian won the last six games.
Whatever its outcome, this three-day semi-final will occupy less consciousness in this city than a two-hour football match across the footbridge this afternoon. In Melbourne, it is really only ever one season.
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Federer comes out firing
By Mark Stevens
September 20, 2003
The Australian
SWISS ace Roger Federer transported his Wimbledon wizardry to Melbourne Park last night to breathe life into the Davis Cup semi-final.
Federer produced his peerless best against local hero Mark Philippoussis to level the tie at 1-1 heading into today's pivotal doubles rubber.
Switzerland's No. 1 used superior steadiness from the back of the court and greater shot variety to blunt Philippoussis's power 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in a contest similar to their Wimbledon final in early July.
Lleyton Hewitt had given Australia a flying start by defeating Michel Kratochvil 6-4 6-4 6-1 in a lopsided opening match.
Like the Wimbledon final in which Federer won 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-3), Philippoussis had his chances. But the Swiss champion refused to become rattled by his opponent's booming serve and bold net advances, or the 13,000-strong crowd.
While the final at the All-England Club was an arm-wrestle in the opening set, Federer last night jumped to a two-set lead before Philippoussis found his range.
Scud couldn't convert break-point opportunities in the third and eighth games of the second set, before finally cracking the world No. 3 and stepping up to serve at 5-3 for the third set.
But Philippoussis couldn't press home the advantage, staving off five break back points before dumping a forehand into the net. Federer regrouped to level at 5-5 and then roared through the tiebreak 7-3 to seal the rubber.
"In the third set, that (leading 5-3) was an extremely important game and I wasn't able to take that. On the bigger points he just played more solid than I did," Philippoussis said.
Like a boxer compelled to step up to a heavier division, Kratochvil knew he was in strife from the very first game against Hewitt.
Just four points into the match, the 129th-ranked Kratochvil glanced up to see the aggressive Australian abandon his baseline domain to chip and charge behind a return to put away a crosscourt forehand volley.
Staring at a break point only a minute into the match, the Swiss second string blew a forehand metres over the baseline to provide Hewitt with the perfect start.
Not only did the flying start stun Kratochvil, it helped settle any nerves for the world No. 7, who was concerned with the heavier balls when wild weather forced officials to close the retractable roof.
After practising all week in the open to contend with wind and sun, players were told only 45 minutes before the start of the tie that both matches would be indoors.
But Hewitt had little to concern him, particularly when he pushed Kratochvil to half a dozen deuces before the Swiss foe held serve in the third game to finally get on to the scoreboard.
The Australian was threatened only once on serve -- in the fourth game -- when he made two uncharacteristic forehand errors and then double faulted to slump to 0-40.
But the 24-year-old let Hewitt escape with three consecutive Kratochvil mistakes and, when the Aussie buried a forehand winner, it provoked the first of his famous fist-pumping 'c'mon' calls.
Kratochvil simply was never given time to settle into any rhythm and committed too many unforced errors against a player of Hewitt's tenacity and quality.
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19 Sep 2003 - Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AUS - Craig Gabriel
daviscup.com
Federer Victory Levels Tie at 1-1
Australia and Switzerland go into the second day of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal with the best of five match series poised at 1-1.
In the first rubber Lleyton Hewitt gave the home side the first point when he scored a comfortable 64 64 61 victory over Michel Kratochvil but then it was the brilliance of Roger Federer that brought things back at the end of the first day. Federer rallied from 3-5 in the third set to beat Mark Philippoussis in straight sets - just as he had done in the Wimbledon final this year - 63 64 76(3).
For two-and-a-half sets Federer played immaculate tennis, however at 3-1 up in the third set he seemed to take his foot off the gas, allowing Philippoussis back into the game and to serve for the set. However, the slight hiccup was short lived and Federer broke back immediately, forcing the set into a tiebreak which he won 7-3.
"It's tough to say what changed (in that third set)," said Federer. "I spoke to Marc our captain, he thought I was not playing as aggressive as before. I also feel that I messed the chances to win the first few points on the serve which made me start to save a lot of break points. I still thought it was a pity because I didn't play great at that point, and then to also go down a break and let him have a chance to serve it out. That was a little bit uncomfortable. I will try not to be in this position in the next match."
Federer said when he was trailing in that third set he kept telling himself to hang in and at the same time hope that Philippoussis didn't serve four aces. But Philippoussis didn't have his serve working as he would have liked and Federer always believed he had the chance to come back. It paid off, the Swiss No. 1 complimenting himself by saying it "was a good performance".
Philippoussis was very dejected after the match. It was the first time he had played Davis Cup in his home town of Melbourne and he wanted to put on a good show and erase any memory of the Wimbledon final he lost to Federer in July.
"He just played too good for me today," Philippoussis said. "Slow start, I then had my chances. On the bigger points I think he just played a lot more solid than I did. Any chance I had he came out with a big serve on a big point. I had my chance when I served for the third set. Obviously that was very important game. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take that."
Earlier, Hewitt faced break points in only one game and he saved all of them. He never allowed Kratochvil any leeway in the match. The Swiss No. 2 was totally outclassed by a player who has twice been a Grand Slam champion and a year-end world number one.
Day two will see the doubles rubber played and, as is often the case in Davis Cup, it has become a crucial match. Australia will field Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge - Woodbridge playing his 28th Davis Cup tie for Australia which equals the record for most ties played, and the Swiss will have Federer and their captain Marc Rosset.
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Aussie comes out swingin'
By BRUCE MATTHEWS
20sep03
Herald Sun
LIKE a boxer compelled to step up to a heavier division, Swiss player Michel Kratochvil knew he was in strife from the very first game of the Davis Cup semi-final opener.
Winning the toss was to be Kratochvil's only success as Lleyton Hewitt ambushed him indoors at Melbourne Park yesterday.
Hewitt didn't let his 129th-ranked Swiss opponent dare to dream of an outrageous upset and built on that early service break to shoot Australia into the lead with an emphatic 6-4 6-4 6-1 victory.
Just four points into the match, Kratochvil glanced up to see the aggressive Australian abandon his baseline domain to chip and charge behind a return to put away a crosscourt forehand volley.
Staring at a break point only a minute into the match, the Swiss No. 2 blew a forehand metres over the baseline to provide Hewitt with the perfect start.
Not only did the flying start stun Kratochvil, it helped settle any nerves for Hewitt, who was concerned with the heavier conditions when wild weather forced officials to close the retractable roof.
"He had nothing to lose out there today. I was on a hiding to nothing and I thought I handled the situation pretty well," Hewitt said.
After practising all week in the open to contend with wind and sun, both players were told only 45 minutes before the start of the tie that the first match would be indoors.
But Hewitt had little to concern him, particularly when he pushed Kratochvil to a half a dozen deuces before the Swiss foe held serve in the third game to finally get on to the scoreboard.
The Australian was threatened only once on serve -- in the fourth game -- when he made two uncharacteristic forehand errors and then double-faulted to slump to 0-40.
That hint of a chance for Kratochvil prompted furious bell-ringing and chanting from the large Swiss supporter group, which almost rivalled the Aussie Fanatics in numbers, if not song variety.
But the 24-year-old let Hewitt escape with three consecutive mistakes and, when the Aussie buried a forehand winner, it provoked the first of his famous fist-pumping "c'mon" calls.
Hewitt's ability to maintain the choker hold on his gallant but outclassed opponent was no more evident than in the third game of the second set.
A furious rally of heavy hitting from the baseline was eventually ended when the Australian rifled a forehand down the line for a stirring winner.
The shot even brought the team's support bench, including Todd Woodbridge, Wayne Arthurs and coach Wally Masur, to their feet.
It was followed by a lucky net cord, when the ball flew past Kratochvil, marooned in midcourt, to set up three break points.
Shaken by the attack so early in the set, the Swiss player flew another ground stroke over the baseline to hand Hewitt the decisive advantage.
Kratochvil knew his brave challenge was floundering when Hewitt again attacked the solid, if not penetrating, serve in the third game of the third set.
He slumped to 15-40 which set up a "here we go . . . here we go" taunt from the Fanatics.
Again, Hewitt needed to do no more than keep those top-spun ground strokes deep and Kratochvil eventually flew one harmlessly over the baseline.
The Australian, now in complete control, smashed aside the Swiss serve three times as he seized the last six games of the mismatch.
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Tennis crowd fires up
By MARK STEVENS
20sep03
Herald Sun
THE great John McEnroe grumbled during the Australian Open that the fans went way too quiet as Lleyton Hewitt stumbled against hot Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui.
Eight months on, in the little guy's first match back on Rod Laver Arena since, it was as if the near capacity crowd had decided to make it up to old Mac.
Hewitt's victory over the tentative Michel Kratochvil was as predictable as it comes. In fact, it had about 2 per cent of the drama of that El Aynaoui upset last January.
But at least the fans, led by a group of about 300 green and gold "Fanatics", gave something this time around.
It was as if a bit of AFL finals fever had spread across the footbridge. Even Geoff Pollard, Tennis Australia president, had a footy-style green and gold scarf over the suit jacket shoulders.
About 20m away from the Fanatics, a group of about 200 Swiss fans set up camp -- all in the mandatory red t-shirt with white cross.
Kratochvil's performance hardly got the heart racing, but the Swiss were excited enough to give the cow bells a pounding on several occasions.
All the usual pranks were there -- the bongo drums, the trumpets, the funny lines -- as the Fanatics did McEnroe proud.
One lout even urged Steve Bracks and Jeff Kennett, in plush seats behind the court, to lift.
Then came the ulti mate sledge to Kratochvil, who seriously never looked like it despite the reasonable scoreline.
"There's always Sunday, mate," one of the lads offered as the Swiss No.2 found himself in deep, deep trouble deep in the last game.
The inevitable occurred minutes later and Hewitt turned to the Fanatics for a trademark double-fisted salute.
It was a buzz. It's obvious why that shy man McEnroe can't get enough of the Davis Cup.
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19 Sep 2003 - Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AUS - Craig Gabriel
daviscup.com
Hewitt Gives Australia 1-0 Lead in Melbourne
Lleyton Hewitt has swept past Michel Kratochvil to give Australia the early advantage in the semifinal tie of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas against Switzerland. Hewitt gave the home side the first point in the best of five series when he beat Kratochvil 64 64 61 in just over two hours.
"I played good aggressive tennis out there," said Hewitt. "I hit the ball well right from the start and kept the pressure on and didn't lose serve for the whole match. I felt like my serving got better and better as the match went on."
The Aussie broke serve in the first game of the match and after saving three break points at 0/40 in the fourth game, he was never in trouble and constantly lifted his level of play. Kratochvil was not able to match it with Hewitt who was being buoyed by the support of the Australian cheer squad the Fanatics as their bongo drums drowned out the faint clanging of cowbells.
The threat of rain was constantly about and referee Jorge Dias took the decision to have the roof over Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park closed. The conditions became a bit heavier inside and Hewitt, who had been informed of the decision to close the roof 45 minutes before the match, just put it to one side and went about playing his brand of tennis.
The Australian No.1 broke serve in the third game of the second set and then kept the pressure on Kratochvil with penetrating returns. In the third set the Australian broke three more times and the match was surrendered when Kratochvil netted a backhand on the one and only match point.
"I had a high percentage of serves, a lot higher than usual. I tried to mix it up as much as possible there as well and just keep him under a lot of pressure," said Hewitt. "I tried to use the crowd to my advantage, that's what they are there for and it was a great atmosphere. I tried to not him have a chance to sneak back in. I just really took it one game at a time."
The next time that Hewitt plays will be against Roger Federer on the third day in the reverse singles. They have quite a history and the last time they played was at the tennis Masters Cup last November in Shanghai. Hewitt won that match 75 in the third set.
"It will be a tough match, every match I have played against Roger has been tough and he's playing as well as he's ever played at the moment so I'm expecting an extremely tough one so I have to go out there and play even better than I did in this one ... play one of my best Davis Cup matches to get through."
In the next match on court Australia's No. 2 Mark Philippoussis takes on the Wimbledon champion and Swiss No. 1 Roger Federer.
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Hewitt too strong for Kratochvil
2003-09-19 04:59 (New York)
MELBOURNE, Australia, Sept 19 (AFP) - Lleyton Hewitt put
Australia one-up in the Davis Cup tennis semi-final after a dominant
6-4, 6-4, 6-1 win over Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil at Melbourne
Park here on Friday.
Hewitt, the world's seventh ranked player and former number one,
improved his Davis Cup singles record to 21-5 in four years'
competition with his one hour 48-minute victory over the
129th-ranked Swiss.
It was just the tonic the Australians needed ahead of Mark
Philippoussis' anticipated rematch with Wimbledon champion and world
number three Roger Federer later Friday.
The winner of the weekend tie has a home final against either
Spain or Argentina on November 28-30.
"This is a great advantage for Australia going into the next
match, which will be a beauty," Hewitt said.
"It obviously puts a lot more pressure on Roger to come out
one-love down, hopefully Flip (Philippoussis) can go out a play a
beauty of a match tonight.
"I tried to put pressure on him (Kratochvil) right from the
start, I felt like he had a bit of a dodgy serve but to his credit
he served extremely well and I had to go after it a bit and he made
me make a few more errors than I normally would.
"I didn't drop my serve for the match, which is a pleasing thing
for me."
Hewitt said the opening rubber was a potentially dangerous match
for him.
"Kratochvil really had nothing to lose out there, no-one
expected him to win the match and that's a tough situation to
perform in sometimes... for me it was hiding to nothing, but I feel
like I handled the situation okay today," he said.
Kratochvil said he made too many mistakes to put the home
favourite under concerted pressure.
"The problem was there I was never in front, I made a bad
beginning and he was always up so that was tough for me," he said.
"He changed his serve up a lot and it was precise, my weak point
was on my returns today, which is normally the best part of my
game... I just made too many easy mistakes too early in the point."
Hewitt jumped on Kratochvil's unthreatening serve, crashing home
12 forehand winners during the rubber and gained in intensity as he
gradually got on top of the 24-year-old Swiss before a full house at
the home of the Australian Open.
Hewitt broke the Swiss in the opening game with Kratochvil's
forehand long on break point.
Kratochvil had his chance with three break points in the fourth
game, but Hewitt fought back to hold service.
Hewitt wrapped up the opening set in 45 minutes and got an early
break in the second when the Swiss was down 0-40 and sent a backhand
long.
The Australian took control of the match, reeling off the second
set in 35 minutes and broke Kratochvil three times in the final set
for a comprehensive victory and his second over in the Swiss in as
many meetings.
Hewitt won their other encounter 6-4, 6-2 in Tokyo two years
ago.