September 21, 2003

Tennisaustralia.com.au

The Optus Australian Davis Cup team are highly favoured to contest the Davis Cup final on grass, Aussie captain John Fitzgerald said today.

And most who saw Lleyton Hewitt defeated Swiss Roger Federer at Melbourne Park today, believe the Australians will capture their 28th Davis Cup.

While pointing out the great depth of the Spanish team, currently 2-1 ahead of Argentina in its semifinal being played in Malaga this weekend, Federer tipped the balance in favour of the Australians when they play the final in late November.

"It's going to be a difficult match for you guys," Federer said. "Home ground with choice of surface, you guys should be favourites if everyone's healthy."

Added Swiss captain Marc Rosset, "If I had to put some money, I would bet on Australia."

After today's performance by Hewitt, Fitzgerald believes his No.1 player can return to the No.1 world ranking.

"Considering the opposition, that's as good as it gets," Fitzgerald said.

Hewitt came from two sets to love down and 3-5 to beat Federer, arresting his 31 straight singles sets streak in Davis Cup.

"In the second set, Roger was just lighting up," Fitzgerald said.

"After he won a tight first set he just opened his shoulders and away he went."

Fitzgerald had advised Hewitt to stay with Federer until he came down a peg or two. "To come back from that, you've gotta have a lot of self belief," Fitzgerald said.

"If that was me, I reckon I'd be believing I could be the No.1 in the world."

A disappointed Federer said he had left the court after the third set to have treatment on his legs. "I just wanted to get them back to order. Work better," he said.

But to no avail. The magic had vanished from his game as Hewitt sensed his chance and rolled over this year's Wimbledon champion.

"He fought hard and won the match," Federer said. "It's a great achievement. You can only congratulate him. I think I was playing great tennis for two sets but it wasn't enough."

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By Alex Lowe, PA International

Lleyton Hewitt prepares for his biggest matches to the theme tune from Rocky - and on Sunday Australia's toughest sportsman bounced off the canvas to produce one of the greatest fightbacks in Davis Cup history.

But the motivation to come back from the brink and secure an astonishing 5-7 2-6 7-6 (4) 7-5 6-1 victory over Roger Federer and book Australia a place in the 2003 Davis Cup final came not from Sly Stallone, but from Pat Cash.

Seventeen years ago, Cash rallied from two sets down in the Davis Cup final to beat Sweden's Mikael Pernfors and secure the trophy for Australia at Kooyong.

It was a memory Hewitt focused on after Federer had squeezed on the pressure, taken a two-set lead and stood in the Rod Laver Arena serving for the match.

Hewitt had been forced onto the defensive but suddenly cranked up the tempo, came inside the baseline and was back to his aggressive best.

The break back ensued, with it came all the momentum and from the moment Hewitt won the third set after dominating the tiebreak there was only ever going to be one winner.

"I don't know how many times I have watched Pat Cash beat Mikael Pernfors over at Kooyong but the whole time when I was two sets down, I was just thinking of that match," said Hewitt.

"Anyone serving for the match is always going to be nervous. He gave me a couple of cheap points in that game. I believed if I could get that third set I'd be there at the end."

And he was, emphatically. With Federer flagging, his serve finally failed him and the Swiss number one - who succeeded Hewitt as Wimbledon champion earlier this year - was a beaten man.

Losing his All England crown hurt Hewitt because he is such a dedicated competitor, a man who lives to win, but one of his stated aims this year was to win the Davis Cup.

Cash has always rated the 1986 victory over Sweden as greater than his Wimbledon victory over Ivan Lendl, and Hewitt spoke in a similar vein as the enormity of his achievement sunk in.

"It beats the hell out of getting the US Open or Wimbledon, let me tell you that," he said with a beaming smile to the raucous cheers of the packed house.

"It's an incredible feeling. I dreamed of playing in these matches."

But all did not go well for Hewitt at the start, even though Federer was taking the court for a third consecutive day.

He had beaten Mark Philippoussis on Friday and Hewitt watched from the sidelines as the Swiss talisman tired visibly during the five-set doubles defeat.

Australia's victory left them leading the tie 2-1 and meant Federer had to beat Hewitt to keep Switzerland's hopes of a second Davis Cup final appearance alive.

Initially there were no signs Federer was feeling any adverse effects and, as he has done throughout the weekend, he started with blistering pace to break Hewitt immediately and go 2-0 up.

Undeterred, Hewitt came to the net, forced a break back point and then screamed his trademark "C'mon" as Federer went long to immediately concede the advantage.

From there it went with serve, but Federer was slowly seizing control and finally sealed the set as Hewitt was punished for being uncharacteristically cautious behind his own serve.

Carrying all the momentum, Federer continued to dictate play as the rubber moved into a second set, forcing a breakpoint with the scores tied at 2-2.

Hewitt held on but Federer was hitting peak form and took the next four games with a series of electrifying winners to seal his 29th consecutive set in Davis Cup singles.

It appeared Federer was heading for a remarkable 30 - and an 11th straight singles victory - when he broke Hewitt for a 5-3 lead in the third set and the chance to serve for the match.

But then those memories came flooding back, captain John Fitzgerald passed on a few measured words and Hewitt's remarkable turnaround began.

"I can't take any credit for that," said Fitzgerald, into whose arms Hewitt leapt after he had thumped his chest and saluted the crowd.

"All I said is that when someone is serving for the match against you, you don't know how close you are to winning the match and I am sure he had that in his mind.

"He knew Roger had played three games in a row. That is the kind of competitive tennis you can get in a Davis Cup tie when you get two great players together."

Hewitt dominated the third set tie-break and then pressed his advantage home by breaking for a 4-2 lead in the fourth set as Federer's serve appeared the only weapon keeping him alive in the contest.

Although the Swiss number one broke back, once his serve wavered Hewitt was there to pounce again, prevailing in an exchange of quick-reflex volleys to square the rubber.

Importantly, the break handed Hewitt the chance to again serve first in the set and the physiological advantage it can bring was hammered home when Federer, looking a beaten man, was broken in the fourth game.

Hewitt held his serve for a 4-1 lead and greeted every won point on the home stretch with a cheer and a jig as Australia took an unassailable lead to reach their fourth final in five years.

Given the other semi-final was between Spain and Argentina, Fitzgerald revealed the Australians are almost certain to choose a grass surface as they did for the 2001 final against France.

"I think there will be a fair chance," said Fitzgerald. "I know that Spain were 2-1 up overnight and playing on grass would probably be their least favourite surface."

In Sunday's last match, a dead singles runner between Todd Woodbrige and Michel Kratochvil, the Australian Woodbridge was forced to retire from injury after losing the first set 6-4, meaning the final match score was 3-2.

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By MARK STEVENS in Melbourne

22sep03

The Advertiser

LLEYTON Hewitt last night described his electrifying comeback victory over Swiss superstar Roger Federer as the best of his career.

Flush with visions of Pat Cash's Davis Cup heroics, Hewitt said the triumph was a dream come true.

"Beating an in-form player like that, I think it's probably No. 1," Hewitt said. "The feeling I had out there on centre court when I was serving for the match, you just want to box that up and keep it forever. It's the most electric feeling you can ever have.

"This beats the hell out of winning the US Open and Wimbledon.

"This is a dream. A lot of people have wanted to have a go all year on my form and whatever – this should shut everyone up."

Federer won the first two sets and held two match points as he served at 5-3 in the third. It looked certain the Davis Cup semi-final at Melbourne Park would be levelled at 2-2.

But Hewitt, thoughts of Cash's come-from-behind win against Swede Mikael Pernfors in the 1986 final at Kooyong racing through his mind, won the third-set tie-breaker and took control to win 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5, 6-1. A pumped-up Hewitt yelled "C'mon", thumped his chest and fed off the crowd's urging as he eventually steamrolled Federer in the final set.

The win left the Aussies with an unbeatable 3-1 lead and set up a home final – probably against Spain – at Melbourne Park from November 28-30.

Hewitt said he had lost count of how many times he had watched Cash's famous win. Cash looked just as spent, down two sets against Pernfors, but hauled himself to one of Australia's most memorable Davis Cup victories.

"I know every single shot in that match. I watched it in the Pat Cash video when I was very young. I looked up to that guy and I looked up to one day being in that situation," Hewitt said. "I was thinking of that match the whole time I was 2-0 down.

"I knew he (Federer) had played a lot of tennis over the last couple of days and I felt I'd be the fitter player and in the end it paid off."

Hewitt is becoming legendary for his Davis Cup exploits – including beating Gustavo Kuerten in his Brazil home two years ago – but the 22-year-old said this one was hard to top.

It was just the second time in Hewitt's career he has come back from two sets down – conjuring a comeback against Argentine Guillermo Canas at the 2001 French Open.

Davis Cup coach Wally Masur had little hesitation in saying it was the best Davis Cup performance he had seen.

"This country's produced so many great players over so many years. I was fortunate enough to play in a lot of teams with Pat Cash," Masur said. `In the context of the matches that have been played, it's the best one I've ever seen."

Masur said Hewitt would inspire other young Australians, just as Cash did almost 17 years ago.

Australia is likely to choose grass for the November final, just as it did in the loss to France two years ago.

"I think grass would probably be their (Spain's) least favourite surface . . . there's a chance," Australian captain John Fitzgerald said.

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By Richard Yallop

September 22, 2003

The Australian

The indomitable will of Lleyton Hewitt yesterday overcame the extravagant talent of Roger Federer as the Australian No.1 transformed a seemingly certain straight-sets defeat into a five-set victory in the Davis Cup semi-final at Rod Laver Arena.

Captain John Fitzgerald ranked Hewitt's 5-7 2-6 7-6 7-5 6-1 win with the finest Australian Davis Cup performances, and marginally surpassing Pat Cash's comeback from two sets down against Sweden's Mikael Pernfors in the 1986 final at Kooyong. "Considering the opposition, I think that's as good as it gets," Fitzgerald said.

"Roger Federer can truly be a great player, and for two sets he was at his best. To come back from that takes a lot of self-belief.

"I saw Lleyton beat Gustavo Kuerten in Brazil when Kuerten was the best clay courter in the world, and he was playing in a hostile environment, but today has to be up with the greatest Davis Cup performances by an Australian ever."

Hewitt's win, which puts Australia into a likely home final against Spain, probably on grass, was arguably the best match seen at Rod Laver Arena since Mats Wilander narrowly outlasted Pat Cash in the 1988 Australian Open final. So it was fitting that Cash's cup comeback in 1986 should have inspired Hewitt's revival against Federer.

"I don't know how many times I've watched that," Hewitt said. "I looked up to that guy, and one day being in a situation where I've done the same thing is unbelievable. Really, I'm speechless."

Hewitt, who had only once come back from two sets down, against Guillermo Canas at the French Open in 2001, rated the win higher than his performance in the Davis Cup in Brazil in April 2001, when he beat then world No.1 Gustavo Kuerten and Brazilian No.2 Fernando Meligeni, without conceding a set.

"This was bigger," Hewitt said. "Federer is an in-form player, and he had won 31 straight sets in Davis Cup."

Hewitt was comprehensively outplayed by the Wimbledon champion for almost two hours. Federer, on a winning streak of 31 successive sets in Davis Cup, served for the match at 7-5 6-2 5-3.

The red-and-white Swiss support army raised the sign "Roger is magic", and they seemed to have a point. Federer had hit 34 winners, compared to Hewitt's nine, and although the Swiss had been wasteful with his talent, making 29 errors compared to Hewitt's 20, the match seemed all but over.

Hewitt had other ideas. When Federer served for the match at 5-3, 30-all, Hewitt hit a shot that surprised Federer by dropping on the baseline, and the Swiss was forced onto the back foot. From that moment on, Hewitt kept him on the back foot, through sheer effort of will.

"He gave me a couple of cheap points at 5-3, and I took the opportunity," Hewitt said. "I was a little bit nervous and tight at the start, but Fitzy said, 'stay positive'. In the fifth set he seemed to be getting down, which was quite surprising."

Federer lost his serve, and the following tie-break 7-4, peppering the points with errors.

He went off at the end of the set for a prolonged break, when he received treatment for the effects of the previous day's five sets doubles loss.

It was not the same Federer who returned for the final two sets. "I had heavy legs, and I just wanted to get them to work better," Federer said afterwards.

Federer's talent has never been in doubt, although his temperament has, and it was tested again by Hewitt in the last two sets. Hewitt held for 6-5 in the fourth, and Federer flinched at 30-all on his own service, serving a double fault. An extraordinary save by Hewitt at the net gave the Australian the fourth set, levelling the match, and leaving Federer wounded.

He had no answers for handling the competitive spirit of Hewitt, who was up off the canvas and throwing punches.

By the end Federer was a demoralised man, slumping in his chair while Hewitt sank to his knees in disbelief.

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By Ron Reed

September 22, 2003

LLEYTON HEWITT is still only 22 and has at least half of his remarkable tennis career still ahead of him, but he'll be lucky if the game provides him with a more memorable moment than when he finally overcame Roger Federer as darkness fell over Melbourne Park last night.

He said it was better than anything he'd ever done, including winning Wimbledon.

Sometimes such sentiments resonate a little less convincingly when the applause dies and a new day dawns, or another big win rolls around - but time will tell about that.

What is beyond dispute is that in the euphoria that swamped Rod Laver Arena, he meant it from the bottom of his large heart.

The reason for that is easily identifiable.

There are two forms of elite tennis, one being the tournaments through which talented young men and women can play for themselves as individuals and accumulate absurd amounts of money, as Hewitt has certainly done.

The other is the Davis Cup, now well into its second century of providing a platform for patriotism in a sport that often makes you think some players wouldn't know the meaning of the term.

Think of all the Americans - even the Pete Samprases of the world - who have found better things to do over the years than turn out for the Stars and Stripes.

It is to the eternal credit of Australian tennis - in fact, the Australian sporting ethos - that it doesn't happen here.

Kids with tennis talent would no more dream of snubbing the Davis Cup than young cricketers would reject the opportunity to wear the baggy green cap, even those who grow up and have to settle for being prime ministers instead.

This is where Lleyton Hewitt has come from, his passion ignited one unforgettable day 17 years ago - he would have been barely big enough to hold a racquet - when he watched Pat Cash win the cup for Australia with an epic come-from-behind five-setter against Sweden's Mikael Pernfors at Kooyong, the crucible of so much of Australia's Davis Cup history and tradition.

It was that same match that provided him with the inspiration to fight on when he found himself at Federer's mercy yesterday, the Swiss champion serving for a straight-sets victory.

He had dreamed of emulating what Cash did that day - now the chanced presented itself.

If you weren't there, or riveted to a TV, to watch what happened next, you missed the latest in a year of tremendous moments in Australian sport, one to file alongside Steve Waugh's Sydney century, Jason McCartney's return to football and Jana Pittman's win at the athletics world championships.

The atmosphere that prevailed as the pendulum swung, the Swiss spectators clanging their cowbells and the Australians blowing Waltzing Matilda on a trumpet, is simply not to be found at tournament tennis.

The crowd - and Australian captain John Fitzgerald complimented them for it - made it abundantly clear, just as Hewitt was doing down in the furnace, that there is limited credibility to the theory that has been doing the rounds for a while now that the Davis Cup has lost some of its relevance and glory.

Not when it throws up an occasion like this, it hasn't.

What Hewitt also confirmed - and nobody has ever really doubted this - is that his ticker is as formidable as his talent, and they make an irresistible combination.

He has been irked, and didn't mind saying so last night, by the focus that has been applied to his fairly forgettable year on the circuit, which has seen his No. 1 ranking slide alarmingly and his impact on the majors fade.

"I hope that shuts everybody up," he said sharply.

Herald Sun

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By Bruce Matthews

September 22, 2003

DOWN and seemingly out, Lleyton Hewitt produced a comeback of epic proportions to propel Australia into another Davis Cup final.

Hewitt recovered from the edge of defeat to overrun Swiss ace Roger Federer in the first reverse singles match at Melbourne Park yesterday.

The 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 6-1 victory gave Australia an unassailable 3-1 lead in the semi-final and set up the final, at the same venue in November but almost certainly on grass, against Spain, who defeated Argentina 3-2 in Malaga.

Hewitt seemed headed for a straight-sets humiliation when the white-hot Federer served for the match at 5-3 in the third set, closing to within two points of victory.

But the little Aussie refused to surrender and instead dug in to fight with his trademark tenacity.

This will rank among the great Australian sporting fightbacks, particularly against such a classy foe as Federer, who was gunning for his 11th consecutive Davis Cup singles victory.

The Swiss No. 1 had such a choker hold on the match that it appeared inevitable the tie would have to be decided on the last singles duel between Mark Philippoussis and Michel Kratochvil .

A three-day workload didn't seem to faze Federer, and he stepped up another gear after twice breaking Hewitt's serve to win the opening set.

The smooth-stroking Wimbledon champion needed only 25 minutes to breeze through the second set 6-2.

Each time the gallant Hewitt gave it his best shot, Federer came up with a better reply, like the unplayable serve to ward off a break point at 2-2 in the third set.

The Australians were heading for a long and nervous wait with Philippoussis deep into the night when Hewitt lost serve again at 3-4.

The cool Swiss master stepped up to try to close out the match and level the semi-final tie.

He seemed tentative for the first time in three days of competition, unsure of himself as he closed within two points of another cup triumph.

But amid the nerves he suddenly stared at a break point against him and dumped a backhand into the net to provide hope to the eager Australian.

A revived Hewitt raced to 4-2 in the tiebreak to increase the pressure and closed it out with an unreturnable serve down the centre of the court to clinch it 7-4.

Federer took a three-minute injury timeout at the end of the third set to try to regroup and refocus in the locker room while an agitated Hewitt sat courtside with a towel draped around him to ward off the chilly evening wind.

When the match resumed, the momentum had swung in favour of the home nation as Hewitt grabbed the decisive service break in the sixth game and served for the set at 5-3.

Federer, becoming increasingly erratic with his shot-making as weariness set in, had one last lunge for glory when he broke back to stay in the fourth set.

But it was only a temporary halt to Hewitt's comeback as the relentless South Australian sniffed a glorious victory.

He tied up the match with a brilliant reflex volley at the net that left him sprawled facedown on the court while Federer walked disconsolately to his chair.

Urged on by a baying crowd, the fresher Hewitt ran down balls with his roadrunner instincts, reeling off the last five games to put the seal on one of his most courageous triumphs.

Herald Sun

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by: Luke Buttigieg

Sportal.com.au

Lleyton Hewitt has staged a brilliant fightback to beat Roger Federer and launch Australia into November’s Davis Cup final.

Flat and seemingly unable to get into the match in the first two sets, Hewitt was down and almost out when Federer served for the match in the third set.

But just as he has in the past, the former world No.1 firstly hauled himself back from the brink of defeat and then got better as the match wore on to eventually win 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 6-1.

The win not only gave Australia an unbeatable 3-1 lead over Switzerland and the home final in Melbourne against either Spain or Argentina from November 28-30, but it also ensured the fifth rubber between Todd Woodbridge and Michel Kratochvil is a dead one.

Federer amazingly hit more than 50 winners, the majority of them with his powerful forehand, but when Hewitt lifted his game in the final two-and-a-half sets, the Wimbledon champion couldn’t keep answering Hewitt’s challenges long enough to complete the win.

Hewitt was broken early to trail 0-2, but broke back immediately, only to then give up his serve for a second time in the 12th game as Federer took the set.

The first four games of the second set went with serve, but after having to scramble to hold in the fourth game, Hewitt dropped serve for the third and fourth times as Federer won four games in a row to take a two-sets-to-one advantage.

Hewitt came close to breaking in the fifth game of the third set, but was then broken again to fall behind 3-5, leaving Federer to serve for the match and ensure a live fifth rubber.

But Hewitt finally got the crowd involved when he broke back, and after surviving further pressure on his serve to force a tie-breaker, had the Aussie fans cheering when he took that 7-4 with his second set point.

When Federer badly missed a simple overhead smash in the sixth game of the fourth set, dumping the ball well short of the net on his own side, it gave Hewitt the chance to serve and level the match at two sets all, but Federer broke back in the ninth game.

With a second tie-breaker on the horizon, Hewitt turned up the pressure in the 12th game and Federer could not match the intensity as Hewitt took the set with a superb reflex volley at the net when the ball looked set to fly past him.

The South Australian then headed into the final set with all the momentum, and he broke in both the fourth and sixth games to run away with the match and record the sensational victory.

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By Linda Pearce

September 22, 2003

The Age

Australia seems certain to resurrect its portable grass court to host either Spain or Argentina in the Davis Cup final in November, after Lleyton Hewitt yesterday credited his miraculous semi-final recovery against Roger Federer to the inspirational memory of Pat Cash's comeback in the 1986 final on the lawns of Kooyong.

That was Australia's last home triumph, though there has since been only one opportunity: the infamous 2001 loss to France on the temporary grass that was laid over Rod Laver Arena as an unintentional welcome mat for Nicolas Escude.

With Spain heavily favoured to win the other semi-final in Malaga overnight, the choice this time is more logical, for although Spain boasts three grand slam champions and 16 singles players in the top 100, only new world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero is remotely threatening on grass.

In Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis, Australia has one Wimbledon champion and a finalist from the past two years. It was therefore no surprise that both Hewitt and captain John Fitzgerald flagged the likelihood of a grasscourt final for November 28-30.

"We'll probably have a grass court here," Hewitt told the crowd. "I think there's a fair chance," Fitzgerald confirmed.

"We'll get together as a team and see what the boys think. I've got a fair idea that they might choose grass. There's a good chance we'll play against Spain, and I think grass probably would be their least favorite surface. So there's a chance, it's our prerogative."

Hewitt admitted he had used the childhood memory of Cash's stupendous comeback from a two-sets-to-love deficit against Sweden's Mikael Pernfors when, in similar strife against Federer, the world No. 3 who served for the match at 5-3 in the third set, only to lose 5-7, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5, 6-1, and end his run of Davis Cup successes at 10.

"I've dreamt of playing these matches," Hewitt said, admitting he had lost count of the times he had watched the Cash-Pernfors classic on video. "The whole time when I was two sets to love down and I ended up getting out of that third, I was just thinking of that match."

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By Linda Pearce

September 22, 2003

The Age

It was a sight rarely seen. Lleyton Hewitt in his courtside chair, despondent, shaking his head, muttering to his Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald he did not know what to do. Fitzgerald's inaudible suggestion was greeted with an agitated reply. "I can't," bleated Hewitt, who trailed Roger Federer by a set and 2-5. "I can't."

He could and he did. Hewitt summoned all his fabled tenacity, eventually prevailing in five sets in what he rates above his two grand slam titles as the greatest match, recovery and thrill, of his career. Federer had led 7-5, 6-2, 5-3, before Hewitt won the last three sets 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, 6-1 to complete victory in three hours 31 minutes.

"I think everyone knows how passionate I am about Davis Cup, and even when I won Wimbledon and the US Open, the feeling that I had out there on centre court when I was serving for that match, you just want to box that up and keep it forever," Hewitt said later. "It's the most electric feeling you could ever have; the (greatest) adrenalin rush of all time."

Only once before had Hewitt recovered from a two-sets-to love deficit - in the 2001 French Open against Guillermo Canas. "A lot of people gave me a bit of shit because I was 4-3 up a break in the fifth and had to come back the next day, so they said it wasn't really a two-sets-to-love comeback," he said. "But hopefully today will count."

Without doubt. Hewitt's early tactics were sound and reasonably effective, giving Federer little pace with which to work, drawing enough unforced errors to keep himself well in the match. Having dropped his opening service game, just as Mark Philippoussis had on Friday, Hewitt struck straight back and there was little between the players until late in the set. But from 6-5, through a brilliant 25-game second set, through the first eight games of the third, Federer was brilliant, while Hewitt was tentative, conservative, defensive, and appeared to have lost all hope. But all he needs is a sniff and he got one. Serving for the match, Federer played a poor game and Hewitt pounced.

"I know anyone serving for a match is always going to be a little bit nervous, and I just tried making him play every point; he gave me a couple of cheap points in that game and I sensed an opportunity," Hewitt said. "Obviously Roger's played a lot of tennis over the last couple of days, and I believed if I could get that third set I'd be the fitter player in the end."

It was as if he knew, too, that his only hope was to start hitting out. Defensive tennis had brought him to the brink of defeat and the match was as good as lost unless something changed.

As Federer served at 5-3, Hewitt's old coach, Jason Stoltenberg, announced in the commentary box: "I've seen Lleyton come back from here before." We laughed. But the last laugh was Hewitt's, as it was habitually during his two years at No.1, and has been for all but five of 27 Davis Cup singles matches, including the past six in succession.

Two of those losses were in dead rubbers and the other three in the finals of 1999, 2000 and 2001. All three that mattered cut deeply, for Hewitt is proud and patriotic and, having ended the year without reaching even a grand slam semi-final, only a Davis Cup can salvage his year.

Hewitt overwhelmed a weary Federer, the competition's best one-man team, but this time, who could not do it all. He had beaten Philippoussis in straight sets on Friday, then partnered Marc Rosset through five mentally draining sets of doubles on Saturday before Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs prevailed.

He should have beaten Hewitt in three sets, and had to win in four, or it was obvious he would be trampled by his fresher Australian foe, urged on by a partisan crowd. He took a long break at the end of the third set, and his body language signalled despair with each missed chance.

In the fourth set he was broken in the sixth game, before levelling at 5-5. Hewitt avoided the need for a tie-breaker with the help of a double fault at deuce and a reflex backhand volley into the open court. It was from there, on his stomach, that he launched into a fist-pumping "c'mon". And it was from there, quite clearly, that Hewitt was not going to lose.

From a seemingly hopeless situation, when he even doubted himself, the 22-year-old had found a way to win.

"A couple of years ago he won a match against Gustavo Kuerten in Brazil, that I thought was the best Davis Cup performance I'd seen from an Australian in the last 20 years, but today he equalled that," Fitzgerald said.

"What he did today I'll never forget for the rest of my life."

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Audio interview www.daviscup.com

September 21, 2003

Lleyton Hewitt, that was a match that at times defied words. How did you feel playing it?

It was incredible. I was just trying to take it one game at a time, and when I was two sets to love down just one set at a time basically. That’s what Fitzy was really enforcing on the side of the court. Just to tell me to, you know, let’s get this third set under our belt, and let’s take it from there one step at a time. In the end I was able to do that and just put my head down. I felt like I was going to be the fitter guy – I’ve done a lot of work over the last few weeks and before the U.S. Open, and it held me in good stead.

What about that point that won you the fourth set? I don’t think anybody could really describe it, I mean it was phenomenal.

Pretty incredible. I wasn’t sure what to do, it all happened that quick, you know, I just stuck my racquet out and wasn’t sure if the ball was going long or… and then I tripped over my own feet. It was a nice one to have under my belt that’s for sure. Fitzy and I were having a bit of a laugh at the side of the court and I had to try and get my concentration back for the fifth set.

When you won that fourth set did you think that this was really it?

Well, it was the first time in the match Fitzy sat down and he goes all right, we’re in a winning position now. Up till then we really couldn’t talk about winning the match, we were just taking it one step at a time. Once we got it on even keel and I was serving first in the fifth, every time I was finally in front and I hadn’t been in front the whole match. That was a big bonus to have.

Where do you place this match in your career, even just your Davis Cup career?

I think it’s number one, there’s no doubt about it. To play a match like that in front of 15,000 people against one of the most in form players on the tour, and especially in Davis Cup, it’s gotta go down probably in front of beating Guga in straight sets in Brazil too. This was a really gutsy win today.

So I guess it silences all the critics of your form this year.

Yeah, I couldn’t care less about my form right now. This result speaks for itself and we’re through to the Davis Cup final, and I think everyone knows how badly I’ve wanted to win the Davis Cup this year, and you know, it’s even more so now.

And finally, on court you said this beats the hell out of winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Oh mate, I felt like I was in a dreamland out there. The last couple of games when I could actually sense that I had a real opportunity of winning the match, I felt I was in another world. It’s an awesome feeling. It’s just a shame that in the next few days I’ll be in a bit of pain and whatever. You won’t quite have that same feeling, that electricity, buzz, that you have while you’re out there playing. Nothing beats it

But I guess that’s pain you’re going to enjoy

Oh for sure. It’ll be great.

Thanks mate.

Thank you.

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Sportal

A one-set win by Switzerland’s Michel Kratochvil over Todd Woodbridge has rounded off the Davis Cup semi final at Melbourne Park.

With Australia already through to the final against either Spain or Argentina after Lleyton Hewitt’s epic five-set victory over Roger Federer, both men decided to have some fun in the dead rubber.

In a game high on spirit but low on competitive endeavour, both men struggled to hold serve, but Kratochvil was playing the better tennis.

Switzerland coach Marc Rosset decided to lend a hand, running onto the court for a game of impromptu doubles in the seventh game with Woodbridge up 40-30. Wayne Arthurs was having none of that, and raced on court to aid his partner from Saturday’s gripping doubles victory.

Arthurs’ talents weren’t required though, with Rosset botching his return much to the mirth of the crowd.

Woodbridge and Kratochvil were again left to decide the match and it was the Swiss who was able to get on top, claiming the set and the match 6-4, to end the tie 3-2 in the hosts’ favour.

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Atptennis.com

Lleyton Hewitt snapped Roger Federer's nine-match Davis Cup winning streak to defeat the Wimbledon champion and lead Australia into its fourth Davis Cup final in the past five years. Hewitt rallied from the brink of defeat at 5-7, 2-6, 3-5 to stun Federer 6-1 in the fifth set in Melbourne on Sunday. The win gave Australia an unbeatable 3-1 lead over Switzerland. "This beats the hell out of winning Wimbledon and the US Open," an ecstatic Hewitt said.

Australia will now host the final on grass at Melbourne Park against Spain after Carlos Moya won the deciding fifth rubber against Argentine Gaston Gaudio 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in Malago. Earlier, Agustin Calleri leveled the Tie at 2-2 when he stunned new World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 7-5, 6-1.

September 20, 2003

Australia d Switzerland 3-2

Lleyton Hewitt snapped Roger Federer's nine-match Davis Cup winning streak to defeat the Wimbledon champion and lead Australia into its fourth Davis Cup final in the past five years. Hewitt rallied from the brink of defeat at 5-7, 2-6, 3-5 to stun Federer 6-1 in the fifth set. The win gave Australia and unbeatable 3-1 lead over Switzerland. "This beats the hell out of winning Wimbledon and the US Open," an ecstatic Hewitt said.

Australia will now host the final on grass against Spain. The Australians will lay a portable grass court over the Rebound Ace of Melbourne Park. [sic: grass court hasn’t been confirmed yet but it’s likely]

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) d Roger Federer (SUI) 57 26 76(4) 75 61

• Hewitt fought back from two sets down in a Davis Cup match for the first time in his career.
• The last time Hewitt went the distance at Davis Cup level was in the 2001 final against France at Melbourne Park on grass. On that occasion Hewitt blew a two-sets-to-one lead against Nicolas Escude in a pivotal result. France went on to upset the Australians 3-2.
• Australia has now reached four finals since Hewitt made his Davis Cup debut five years ago. Hewitt has a 25-6 record in singles and doubles at Davis Cup level.
• Hewitt described the win as the best and most satisfying of his career.

What Hewitt Said: "It's number one. To play a match like that in front of 15,000 people, against one of the most in-form players on the tour, especially in Davis Cup. It would have to go down in front of beating Guga in straight sets in Brazil," Hewitt told Craig Gabriel, of daviscup.org.

"This was a real gutsy win today. This result speaks for itself. Everyone knows how badly I wanted to win the Davis Cup this year. In the fifth set I felt like I was in dreamland out there. I thought I was in another world.

"When I was two sets down I was just trying to take it one set at a time. In the end I was able to put my head down and I felt I could be the fitter guy. At the end of the fourth set it was the first time Fitzy (Australian captain John Fitzgerald) said that we were in a winning position. Before that we couldn't talk about winning."

Michel Kratochvil (SUI) d Todd Woodbridge (AUS) 64 ret.

• Kratochvil claimed the dead fifth rubber when the Aussie doubles veteran retired after the first set.

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21 Sep 2003 - Melbourne Park, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, AUS - Craig Gabriel

daviscup.com

Lleyton Hewitt declared it was the number one victory of his career and anyone who was privileged to see the match against Roger Federer in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Semifinal would certainly not disagree with him.

The Australian was on the ropes. Federer had what should have been a winning lead in a do-or-die match for Switzerland. Australia was up 2-1 in the semifinal series so Federer had to win to keep his country’s hopes alive and he was well and truly on the road to doing just that as he lead by two sets and 5-3. But then, like a gust of wind, Hewitt broke back as Federer served for the match and the comeback began.

Point by point, game by game, Hewitt just kept fighting. That third set went to a tiebreak and the set fell to Hewitt. The Australia went up 5-2 in the fourth but this time Federer rallied to 5-5. Hewitt held and then in a game filled with tension Hewitt broke. The point that gave him the fourth set was almost beyond description.

A rapid fire exchange ended when Hewitt played a reflex backhand scoop volley that landed beyond the Swiss No. 1. As the ball's trajectory began to dip Hewitt also tripped over his own feet and fell flat on his stomach. He lifted his head enough to see yellow fluff land inside the baseline. His arms went out making him look like a skydiver and when he got to his feet he was pumping his heart. He said soon after that he felt that that was when Federer's confidence began to drop off.

One got the sense that the 2002 Wimbledon champion had broken the spirit of the 2003 Wimbledon champion. Hewitt ran away with the fifth set to win the match 57 26 76 75 61 in three hours 31 minutes, securing Australia’s place in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final.

The Australian jumped so high on the last point that he would have put a basketballer to shame. He declared to the packed crowd at Rod Laver Arena: "This beats the hell out of winning Wimbledon and the US Open. These are the matches I play for."

"I think everyone knows how passionate I am about Davis Cup and even if you had won Wimbledon or the US Open, the feeling I had out there on the Centre Court serving for that match, you just want to box that up and keep it forever," said Hewitt. "It's the most electric feeling you could ever have.

"I am so passionate about playing for Australia that to have all the crowd standing up like that it was incredible. I'm a little bit speechless. I felt like I was in a dream at the end."

Credit must be given to Federer for the tennis he played in the second set when there was barely anything that Hewitt could do. No-one could have beaten Federer the way he was playing. He played like a genius and as Australian captain John Fitzgerald said, "his tennis racquet is like a magic wand".

Hewitt said he just had to stay positive and keep trying to find chinks in Federer's game. The hint of a chance came in the ninth game of the third set. Hewitt had only come back from two sets to love down once before, at Roland Garros in 2001 against Guillermo Canas, but that match was interrupted by fading light in the fifth set. Hewitt laughed saying "the guys said that one didn't count, this one does".

When he was down two sets to love Hewitt said he thought back to the Davis Cup match that Pat Cash had played against Mikael Pernfors in the 1986 final in Melbourne - a match he had watched over and over again. "I am able to tell you about every point in that one," he said. It inspired him against Federer and helped in his come back.

"This is a dream. A lot of people have had goes at my form over the year, but this should shut everyone up," he said.

Of the match, Fitzgerald said taking into account the calibre of the opposition "that's as good as it gets and that has to be right up there with any performance by an Australian Davis Cup player ever".

In the ‘dead’ fifth rubber Michel Kratochvil defeated Todd Woodbridge – a replacement for Mark Philippoussis. The Swiss No. 2 had won the first set 64 when Woodbridge retired leaving the final tie score at 3-2 to Australia.

The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Final will be played in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena on 28-30 November and it is likely the Australians will opt for a grass court to be laid over the Rebound Ace court, as was done for the 2001 final against France which Australia lost.

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05:00 Join eurosport.com/co.uk from 07:00cet for Australia v Switzerland from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. With the green and gold leading Roger Federer's outfit 2-1 after Saturday's enthralling doubles, Federer and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt are up first for a crucial singles tie. It could well be a classic, so JOIN US

06:55 MELBOURNE: The roof is off, the sun is out! The crowd is full of colour, song, and funny banners... the cow bells are out too! Players expected shortly. A fantastic atmosphere for the first reverse singles of the final day... former world number one Lleyton Hewitt versus current Wimbledon champion Roger Federer

07:02 MELBOURNE: Out Hewitt and Federer come, they get quickly into their knock-up!

07:12 MELBOURNE: Roger Federer to begin... play!

07:14 MELBOURNE: Two aces from the Swiss Grand Slam champion... Federer starts well... SWITZERLAND 1-0!

07:14 MELBOURNE: Hewitt now getting the cheer of the Australian crowd... his first serve!

07:18 MELBOURNE: TWO BREAK POINTS SWITZERLAND... Hewitt started with an ACE, but Federer's return is on the spot straight away! The Aussie saves one with a fine forehand, but Hewitt tamely double faults... SWITZERLAND 2-0

07:22 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT AUSTRALIA! Hewitt now with a chance, the ferociousness of his returns paying dividends... Federer serves into the net, his second effort short, long rally backhand to backhand... eventually the Swiss man nets... AUSTRALIA BREAK 1-2! Federer walks to his chair shaking his head

07:25 MELBOURNE: Hewitt back on track, with the support of the crowd, the familiar signs of his determination are showing... 2-2

07:30 MELBOURNE: Federer muscles his way through with breathtaking groundstrokes, particularly on the backhand side. Hewitt improving fast! Big matches require big attitudes! SWITZERLAND 3-2

07:33 MELBOURNE: With Lleyton Hewitt's service hold... AUSTRALIA 3-3! He cries out "C'mon Lleyt!" This gives the crowd the incentive to strike up "Super, Super Lleyt..."

07:37 MELBOURNE: Federer flitting between sheer brilliance and major stupidity... he often wins the first couple of points easily, then throws in a short serve or double fault to let Hewitt back in the door... he holds, but he'll have to improve his consistency against his pocket-sized opponent... SWITZERLAND 4-3

07:42 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND! Hewitt pinned to the back of the court, wearing the green and gold of Australia, Federer knocks away an approach for the break chance; Hewitt quells the threat firing a forehand winner off the service return... "C'mon!"; moments later Hewitt takes the game to level up... 4-4

07:45 MELBOURNE: Hewitt returning the Federer serve two yards behind the baseline, then not moving forward off the return; Federer moving the ball around the service box nicely, keeping the Aussie 22-year-old guessing...

07:45 MELBOURNE: Hewitt wins two in a row and forces Federer to DEUCE; the Swiss man ACES TWICE! GAME SWITZERLAND 5-4

07:50 MELBOURNE: The Australian bench on their feet after every point, as Hewitt begins to feel the pressure of Federer's return prowess... a couple of "C'mon" shouts and Hewitt is playing as well as he ever has; he holds serve AUSTRALIA level for 5-5! Davis Cup play certainly brings out the best in him

07:53 MELBOURNE: Federer playing the big points well on serve... looking to have tied up his unforced errors! An unreturnable serve and another ACE give SWITZERLAND a 6-5 lead

08:00 MELBOURNE: Hewitt feeling confident enough to rally with Federer, instead of aiming for first serve penetration; the Wimbledon champion making life difficult for the Australian with groundstrokes that are finding the lines; FEDERER tightens his game and forces the mistake... SET POINT SWITZERLAND... Hewitt first serve out down the middle, and then a backhand into the net off the return... SWITZERLAND FIRST SET 7-5 in 48 minutes!!!!

08:02 MELBOURNE: Federer to start the second set!

08:05 MELBOURNE: Federer holds, with three well-placed first efforts, sailing close to the Hewitt racket! The Aussie with no chance of latching onto a big return SWITZERLAND 1-0

08:08 MELBOURNE: Hewitt holds easily... 1-1

08:10 MELBOURNE: Federer hits a further two ACES as the standard of play continues to increase... the Swiss fans elated by the fine start of the Wimbledon champion! SWITZERLAND 2-1

08:16 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND... Hewitt too busy rallying and not concentrating on moving in on the short ball to put away...30-40; Federer wastes the chance by dumping into the net off return; ACE and an unreturnable... Hewitt out of trouble and getting pumped up AUSTRALIA level up for 2-2

08:18 MELBOURNE: Federer holds his easiest service game of the match so far; he looks more likely to break, the nerves aren't getting to him; I wonder how Philippoussis and Kratochvil are feeling watching on from the locker-room? SWITZERLAND 3-2, 15 minutes of the second set gone

08:22 MELBOURNE: DOUBLE BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND! Federer sets up the chance through fine approaches to the net and a deft volley, leaving Hewitt on the backfoot; Hewitt anxious, nets a backhand and gifts Federer the game... SWITZERLAND 4-2

08:25 MELBOURNE: Federer confirms the break with destructive serving, leaving Hewitt no chance; the Australian bench looks stunned at this display, but can only support their former world number one... he's not playing badly, it's just Federer is playing his "A" game! SWITZERLAND 5-2

08:28 MELBOURNE: FEDERER on the prowl again opening up a two-point cushion on Hewitt's serve, from fine returns; Hewitt changes things up and comes to the net - never his most comfortable position on a court - Federer rips a backhand cross court past him.... TRIPLE SET POINT SWITZERLAND! He gets them as Hewitt crumbles; SECOND SET to the SWISS 6-2

08:30 MELBOURNE: Federer, crucially, to start the third set! How is Hewitt going to react?

08:32 MELBOURNE: Federer wraps up his fifth straight game in under 60 seconds, two ACES, two giving Hewitt little chance... SWITZERLAND 1-0 THIRD SET

08:34 MELBOURNE: The open-roofed stadium erupts as Hewitt, needing all the support he can get, holds serve 1-1

08:36 MELBOURNE: Federer in the ascendancy, Philippoussis and Kratochvil start preparing! SWITZERLAND 2-1

08:39 MELBOURNE: Hewitt ACES to level the third set for AUSTRALIA, 2-2! Federer can only watch a series of determined and well-placed serves fly by

08:43 MELBOURNE: Hewitt starting to play at just the right time, two return winners, forehand then backhand down the line... Federer 0-30; ACE 15-30!; Hewitt snaps at a return and frames out 30-30; Federer serves another ACE 40-30; Hewitt holds firm from the back of the court and steps up to whack away a forehand approach DEUCE; Federer unreturnable, Hewitt not happy ADV; the Aussie frames a backhand out SWITZERLAND 3-2! Hewitt thinks about chucking his racket, but doesn't!

08:48 MELBOURNE: Hewitt battling it out from the back, content on rallying with the Swiss star, Rosset on the bench offers encouragement; AUSTRALIA level at 3-3

08:51 MELBOURNE: Federer races to his chair having fired away an off-forehand well wide of Hewitt; SWITZERLAND 4-3 and cruising... members of the Aussie squad leave the court; Fitzgerald encouraging Hewitt

08:54 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND... Hewitt looking a shadow of his former self, the speed looks to be dwindling and the drive is not there; Federer thrashes a forehand return back off a short kicker... SWITZERLAND 5-3... Federer pumps his fists at the Swiss bench!

08:55 MELBOURNE: Federer two sets and 5-3 up to serve for the rubber and level the tie 2-2! Play!

08:58 MELBOURNE: HEWITT unbelievably pulls out a BREAK POINT! Federer serving as well as ever, but the Australian steps a yard up the court on return, taking the ball earlier and reacts well to hit the decisive winner... AUSTRALIA just about in it... 4-5! "Waltzing Matilda" in full flow now!

09:04 MELBOURNE: Hewitt reacting to the Rod Laver Arena support, the Swiss cow bells still ring loud; the Australian keeping his cool under the most enormous of pressure; Federer at DEUCE... two points away from leveling [the tie] for SWITZERLAND; Hewitt serves deep, Federer returns out ADV AUS; Federer backhand return winner down the line off a short second serve

09:05 MELBOURNE: Federer returns out, the umpire has to make the call; Hewitt looks at the linesman - who didn't make the call - in pure frustration ADV AUS; Hewitt forehand winner "C'mon!" AUSTRALIA level 5-5!!!

09:10 MELBOURNE: Federer beginning to feel the pressure for the first time in the match; the usual demeanour of coolness deserting him momentarily; The Swiss man hits a good serve and approach for putaway ADV; Hewitt return winner DEUCE!; Federer has had enough and serves TWO ACES SWITZERLAND 6-5, 39 minutes gone in the third set!

09:10 MELBOURNE: Fitzgerald talking to Hewitt now, the Australian with all the pressure to stay in the set and attempt to get back into the match

09:14 MELBOURNE: Hewitt firing on all cylinders now; Federer talking to himself between points; three fine forehand approach winners by the Australian takes the third set to a TIE-BREAK 6-6

09:17 MELBOURNE: Federer serving, forces Hewitt to net forehand 1-0; Hewitt ACE 1-1; Hewitt deep kicker, in to put away forehand wide of Swiss reach 2-1; Federer serving, Hewitt return winner 3-1; Federer ACE, very questionable call 2-3; Hewitt serving, long rally, Federer hits a wild forehand out 4-2; change ends

09:21 MELBOURNE: Hewitt serving, nets a simple forehand, the crowd scream their annoyance 4-3; Federer back on serve, first effort into the net, second to the backhand Hewitt recognizes it early and fires a winner 3-5; Federer serving, long long rally, Hewitt forces the Swiss right-hander to make a mistake 3-6... TRIPLE SET POINT AUSTRALIA... Hewitt to serve, first in the net, the Aussie nets a backhand, rushing slightly 6-4; HEWITT takes his time and ACES... AUSTRALIA THIRD SET 7-6(4)!!!!!

09:23 MELBOURNE: Federer goes off the court; Hewitt wraps himself in a towel to keep warm

09:30 MELBOURNE: HEWITT to start the fourth set, Hewitt out early after the prolonged changeover to do some stretching and keep warm...

09:32 MELBOURNE: Hewitt serves out for the loss of one point... 1-0

09:36 MELBOURNE: Federer serves out a close game with a customary ACE... the Swiss echo the support of the Australian din... 1-1... routine holds so far in the fourth set

09:39 MELBOURNE: Hewitt with greater confidence than at any other time this weekend; the fire burns... Federer struggling to reach the wide service angles... AUSTRALIA 2-1

09:42 MELBOURNE: Federer holds for Switzerland as the pressure builds once more... 2-2

09:46 MELBOURNE: Hewitt beginning to serve out with ease, as Federer tightens his game up... the pressure often got to the Swiss Wimbledon champion, can it again in the pressure cooker of Davis Cup? AUSTRALIA 3-2

09:51 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT AUSTRALIA... Hewitt sets it up through two forehand winners, giving Federer no chance... Federer hits his sixth DOUBLE FAULT of the match... AUSTRALIA in raptures 4-2... the Swiss bench off their feet!

09:55 MELBOURNE: Hewitt on the crest of a wave... the Swiss support falls silent, as the guts and determination of the Australian - for two years a world number one - begins to tell... a service hold for AUSTRALIA 5-2 is met with a "C'mon!"

09:58 MELBOURNE: Federer holds serve, but now all he can do is hope that the level of play that Hewitt has shown in recent games suddenly ends... SWITZERLAND 3-5

10:02 MELBOURNE: DOUBLE BREAK POINT SWITZERLAND!!!! What a match! Hewitt fires his first serve long, the second is kicked to Federer's forehand... the Swiss champion rallies, but is gifted the game through an Australia unforced error SWITZERLAND 4-5

10:10 MELBOURNE: Federer finding it difficult to close out his service game; Hewitt so close but never getting a BREAK POINT opportunity. Snatching at returns the Australian has the chance... FEDERER ACES for SWITZERLAND to level at 5-5!

10:13 MELBOURNE: Swiss captain Marc Rosset can only smile as the standard of play goes through the roof... Hewitt serves out for the loss of a point and now finds himself moving up the middle of the court at every opportunity... Federer hitting the short balls... AUSTRALIA 6-5!!!

10:17 MELBOURNE: Federer fighting for his life... A DOUBLE FAULT at DEUCE! AUSTRALIA SET POINT... Hewitt and Federer both attack the net, the Australian dives for a volley... HE GETS IT... spread out over the court he pumps his fist... the noise is deafening... AUSTRALIA TAKE THE FOURTH SET 7-5! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

10:20 MELBOURNE: Hewitt to open up the fifth and final set; at present the Australian looks in fine form and with crowd support could send his nation to their 47th Davis Cup final

10:23 MELBOURNE: Hewitt holds serve to love... "Waltzing Matilda" starts up again for the 20th time today! Fitzgerald off the Aussie bench in a flash, his opposite number Rosset consoling and encouraging Federer

10:28 MELBOURNE: Both players hold routine serves... AUSTRALIA 2-1

10:32 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT AUSTRALIA... Federer again double faulting, long rally, the Swiss man kicking his first serve in deep... Hewitt scrambling side-to-side never in control of the rally... FEDERER nets a backhand on approach to the net... AUSTRALIA BREAK 3-1!

10:34 MELBOURNE: HEWITT serves out to love... Mark Philippoussis, Kim Clijsters and Lleyton's parents on their feet applauding his tremendous comeback... The Australian races to his chair, jumping into the congratulatory hug of Fitzgerald... AUSTRALIA 4-1! But Fitzy will warn him that the tough part is to come!

10:35 MELBOURNE: Federer still gaining encouragement from the Swiss cow bells, but the Australian support is becoming deafening...

10:39 MELBOURNE: BREAK POINT AUSTRALIA! Hewitt being lifted endlessly by the home support... Federer saves the chance with a net cord winner... tense stuff... DEUCE; first serve out, second really short, Hewitt a good three yards behind the baseline, short rally... Federer hits backhand long... SECOND CHANCE FOR AUSTRALIA... another backhand error for the Swiss man... AUSTRALIA 5-1! Hewitt pumps his fist to the Aussie bench... he'll have to serve for it

10:39 MELBOURNE: Hewitt, to take Australia to their 47th Davis Cup final...

10:43 MELBOURNE: Hewitt ACE 15-0; Federer backhand error 30-0; Hewitt first serve in net, takes his time to deliver his next effort... double fault 30-15; Federer backhand error down the line 40-15; AUSTRALIA TWO POINTS FOR A PLACE IN THE FINAL... Hewitt takes his time again... first serve in... SMASH WINNER!!!! Hewitt falls to his knees... GAME SET MATCH HEWITT... 5-7 2-6 7-6 7-5 6-1!!! Australia take an unassailable 3-1 lead and reach the final!

10:45 MELBOURNE: An incredible fourth rubber, Federer close to tears; his one man challenge taking Switzerland to the brink of the final ends; will Mark Philippoussis play Michel Kratochvil in the dead rubber now? Or will both teams swap their selection, that has become meaningless?

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By BRUCE MATTHEWS

21sep03

Herald Sun

LLEYTON Hewitt will study a tape of Roger Federer's most recent defeat as part of his game plan for their Davis Cup showdown today.

Australian coach Wally Masur asked Fox Sport to send a copy of the Swiss superstar's fourth-round US Open match to Melbourne.

Masur and Hewitt, who holds an imposing 7-2 head-to-head advantage over Federer, will dissect how Argentina's David Nalbandian plotted the Wimbledon champion's demise in New York.

While the semi-final tie at Melbourne Park is played on a differently paced hardcourt and the match circumstances are obviously vastly altered, the Australians were leaving nothing to chance for today's reverse singles, which will decide which nation advances to the Davis Cup final in late November.

Masur was a commentator for Fox during the US Open, and it is believed the Brisbane office couriered the videotape of the Federer-Nalbandian match to Melbourne yesterday.

You can bet Federer hit the sack early last night to prepare for today's first reverse singles match.

He is well aware of the extra kilometres he must cover in a bid to ward off Hewitt, Australia's relentless road-runner.

The game plan that blunted Mark Philippoussis's power on Friday had been consigned to the mind files as he refreshed the memory of the previous nine meetings with Hewitt.

"It will be totally different. I guess Lleyton wants the long rallies and Mark doesn't," said Federer of the classic confrontation.

"There's a big difference, the way they return and the way they serve. I don't know if they could be any more different. It's black and white, so I'll have to adjust."

While Hewitt put his feet up to watch the doubles unfold yesterday, he must have drawn satisfaction that his foe was consigned to work on all three days of the semi-final tie.

Federer dismissed talk of tiredness, saying the workload in a tournament was more demanding.

"I feel fine. It's just basically three matches. It's not over one entire week," he said.

"If you can't handle three matches as a 22-year-old, then something is wrong. So I'm not concerned about this weekend."

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By Linda Pearce

September 21, 2003

The Age

Privately, Australian captain John Fitzgerald has feared that his singles players intrinsically doubted their ability to beat Roger Federer in this Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland.

It is therefore significant, and may well be decisive, that Lleyton Hewitt leads off the reverse singles today with the cushion of a 2-1 lead.

Mark Philippoussis was full of bravado on Hewitt's behalf after his own straight sets loss to Federer on Friday night, and the Victorian will not need to play another live rubber if his teammate can deny Federer an 11th successive cup singles win.

If not, the tie will be decided in the fifth match between Philippoussis and world No.129 Michel Kratochvil; thus, even if Hewitt is unable to seal a finals place, logic suggests that Philippoussis will.

Still, since their first meeting in 1999, Hewitt has built a 7-2 record against his successor as Wimbledon champion, including three out of four on hardcourts, as well as their sole meeting in Davis Cup.

All of which adds some credence to the Philippoussis claim - perhaps made in the hope it would be self-perpetuating - that Federer is fallible, and that Hewitt has the game to exploit the mental fragility that has afflicted the Swiss in the past.

"I wouldn't say he's the toughest player in the world at the moment," Philippoussis said. "Obviously, he's up there . . . but I wouldn't think of the guy as unbeatable. I wouldn't like to put him up there.

"I think if Lleyton plays solid, I think Lleyton will take him out. I think Lleyton will win on Sunday and I'm confident on that."

Although Hewitt has not had his best year, and did not impress Rosset in defeating Kratochvil in straight sets on Friday - "it's not the same Lleyton as two years ago" the Swiss insisted - the Australian's ability to keep the ball in play should work to his advantage.

Where Philippoussis is more explosively hit-and-miss, Hewitt is likely to draw more mistakes from the Federer wand if the Swiss is at anything less than his best.

Asked to contrast his two opponents, Federer replied: "I guess Lleyton wants long rallies, Mark doesn't, so that's already a big difference. Obviously, the way they return, the way they serve, so I don't know if they could be any (more) different, like black and white. So, I have to adjust to play Lleyton . . . I come out, and I'm ready."

Hewitt recalled the pair's last meeting, at last year's Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. He won the tight, undulating semi-final 7-5, 5-7, 7-5, describing it as "probably one of the best matches I've ever been involved in".

"It looked like four or five times each of us were probably going to win the match, and then I ended up scraping through it, so it's going to be a tough ask, but I feel like I'm playing well enough to give him a run."

To Hewitt's advantage, he had his feet up at courtside yesterday, after a singles doddle against Kratochvil on Friday, while Federer went to work for more than three hours on the doubles court. But the Swiss dismissed fatigue as a factor, and stressed that his team has recovered from a 1-2 deficit before.

"In the beginning of the tie I said it's no problem for me to play three matches in a row, and I don't change what I have said," Federer said. "We've been down 2-1 a few times and come back, so we want to try and forget this doubles as soon as possible and start to look to tomorrow."