Fitzgerald Defends Hewitt Outburst
Thu May 15, 5:28 AM ET Add Sports -
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MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australian Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald leapt to the
defense of Lleyton Hewitt on Thursday after the Wimbledon (news - web sites)
champion was involved in a heated exchange with an umpire.
Hewitt beat France's Arnaud Clement 6-7 6-4 7-6 to reach the third round of the
Hamburg Masters on Wednesday after telling an umpire to return to the minor
tour.
"You go back to the satellites, mate. You go back to the satellites and
learn the rules where you belong," the 22-year-old told the umpire.
"I think he's just getting his competitive juices flowing for the French
Open (news - web sites), just trying to get up," Fitzgerald told reporters.
The Hewitt footage was replayed on Australia television on Thursday alongside
this week's clash between cricketer Glenn McGrath and West Indies batsman
Ramnaresh Sarwan during the fourth test in Antigua.
The much taller McGrath angrily pointed his finger at the batsman and swore
several times. Australia's top cricket official James Sutherland said on Tuesday
it was an "ugly incident" which reflected poorly on the sports-loving
nation and cricket's image worldwide.
Fitzgerald, however, was backing Hewitt's tough stance.
"He's just competing and, you know what, you have to be yourself, you have
to compete," said Fitzgerald, who will be relying heavily on Hewitt in
September's Davis Cup semi-final against Switzerland.
"He admits he walks over the white line. There's a little bit of fever
there but that's what makes him such a great player."
Hewitt has never been far from controversy. He once described spectators in his
home town of Adelaide as "stupid" after they cheered an opponent in
2000, and he was fined at the 2001 French Open for calling the chair umpire a
"spastic."
He was also at the center of a race row at the 2001 U.S. Open (news - web sites)
over a comment he made to a court official during a match against American James
Blake.
third rd Gonzalez Hammers Hewitt In Hamburg
By Richard Pagliaro
05/16/2003
Tennis Week
Fernando Gonzalez can turn a tennis match into a
grudge match. Launching his entire body into every ferocious forehand he hits,
Gonzalez plays with the vicious swing of someone who has a vendetta against the
ball. Today, both the ball and Lleyton Hewitt felt the wrath of Gonzalez's
immense power.
Toying with the world's top-ranked player as if he were a practice partner for
much of the match, the 22-year-old Chilean crushed Hewitt, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 to
advance to the Tennis Masters Series Hamburg quarterfinals.
Bludgeoning each ball with punishing power, Gonzalez is capable of both
breathtaking shot making and senseless shot selection on successive points, but
he minimized his output of errors in the first set with shrewd shot selection.
Capitalizing on three Hewitt unforced errors, Gonzalez snapped a sharp volley
winner to break serve for a 2-0 lead then ripped an ace down the middle to hold
for 3-0. After registering another service break, Gonzalez delivered a
devastating series of serves, slamming five aces in the fifth game to hold for
5-0.
It was the second straight match in which a sluggish Hewitt slumped to a 0-5
start. Yesterday, he fought back from the deep deficit to overcome Arnaud
Clement in a three hour, 36-minute marathon that was the longest three-set match
of Hewitt's career. Fatigue may have been a factor today as Hewitt had trouble
making up ground against Gonzalez's overwhelming baseline assault, but even a
rested Hewitt would have had trouble beating Gonzalez today.
Staring into the face of his racquet as if searching for solutions to Gonzalez's
powerful play, Hewitt had to dig down deep to win a game. The Wimbledon winner
held off two break points to finally hold serve for 1-5. Gonzalez held serve
easily to seize the first set, 6-1.
Hewitt dropped serve to open the second set and when Gonzalez held, Hewitt found
himself trailing 0-2. Scrambling to stay in the match, Hewitt eventually tied
the set at 3-3. Gonzalez gradually began to lose the range on his favored
forehand and as his unforced errors increased, Hewitt took advantage, winning
three consecutive games to close out the second set.
The third set proved to be anticlimactic as the 15th-seeded Gonzalez simply blew
Hewitt off the court with his hard-hit drives. While Hewitt typically handles
pace as well as any top player, his layoff from tournament tennis — he was
playing his first event of the year on red clay — took a toll on his timing.
Reduced to playing defense for much of the final set, Hewitt was helpless to
stop the explosive shots emanating from Gonzalez's racquet.
If you haven't seen the 15th-seeded Chilean yet, then go hear him play.
Listening to the sounds of the ball exploding off Gonzalez's strings is as
striking as hearing a cello play heavy metal. His pure power — combined with
his courageous and sometimes crazy propensity to hit out on his shots — makes
Gonzalez an extremely dangerous player when he's on.
Gonzalez will meet eighth-seeded David Nalbandian for a spot in the semifinals.
match commentary www.eurosport.com
18:20 : Game, set and match Gonzales! 6-1 3-6 6-0! He's done everything he tried
in the last set!
18:16 : Hewitt's backhand stays in the net and Gonzales leads 5-0 in the last
set!
18:15 : 4-0 Gonzales!
18:12 : Gonzales confirms his break and leads 3-0!
18:06 : Gonzales breaks! 2-0 for the Chilean in the third set!
17:52 : Hewitt takes the second set 6-3! He comes back from nowhere as he was
leaded 6-1 2-0!
17:51 : Gonzales saves one set point thanks to a superb winning forehand! Deuce!
17:50 : A superb smash puts Hewitt two points from the set!
17:47 : Hewitt breaks thanks to two unforced errors in a row by Gonzales! The
Australian is now serving for the set!
17:43 : Gonzales forehand is out and Hewitt keeps the lead in this second set!
4-3!
17:40 : Gonzales levels! What a game, almost only winning points! 3-3!
17:36 : Great tennis time in Hamburg!
17:33 : Hewitt in front in this set after winning three games in a row! 3-2!
17:26 : Hewitt levels! Gonzales didn't serve as well in this game! 2-2!
17:25 : Excellent volley by Hewitt! He leads 0-30 as Gonzales serves!
17:22 : Hewitt comes back but he really struggles today! 2-1 Gonzales!
17:20 : Gonzales confirms his break after saving one break point! He leads 2-0
in the second set!
17:14 : Gonzales breaks thanks to two amazing winning forehands! 1-0 for the
Chilean in the second set! He's simply terrific today, and Hewitt must react
right now!
17:09 : Gonzales takes the first set 6-1! He played very well despite several
unforced errors, and his serve is like a storm today!
17:07 : Hewitt saved two break points to win his first game of the match! 5-1
Gonzales!
17:02 : Gonzales win his serve thanks to five aces in this game! 5-0 for the
Chilean!
16:56 : 4-0 Gonzales! Hewitt seems to have real troubles against Gonzales power!
16:50 : Gonzales serve is terrific today! He concludes with an ace to extend his
lead! 3-0!
16:50 : Gonzales breaks thanks to a superb volley....and three unforced errors
by Hewitt! 2-0 for the Chilean in the first set!
16:46 : Gonzales served very well in this first game and he leads the match!
1-0!
16:44 : Hewitt v Gonzales starts now, Gonzales is serving!
Hewitt and Kuerten Lose in Hamburg
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) - World number one Lleyton Hewitt finally ran out of
steam and was beaten 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 by Fernando Gonzalez in the third round of
the Hamburg Masters on Thursday.
The world number one had played six hours of tennis in overcoming his first two
opponents and often looked flat against the lively 15th-seeded Chilean.
Gonzalez dominated much of the match with his sharp returns and fierce forehand
winners and Hewitt rarely looked capable of turning the tide.
Hewitt swiftly fell behind 5-0 and earned just two game points in the first set.
In the second, Gonzalez broke to lead 1-0, but then twice dropped his own serve
to love, for the Australian to level the match at one set all.
In the deciding set Hewitt, who is short of clay practice after suffering a
viral infection, failed impose himself on a confident opponent, earning just one
game point, on Gonzalez's serve in the first game.
Hewitt said the long matches in Hamburg meant he was feeling more comfortable on
clay with the French Open (news - web sites) just 10 days away, but the courts
were heavier than those at Roland Garros .
"The French Open is more of a powder kind of surface. I've had decent
results here, but I definitely feel I've got better chances at the French Open
than here."
CUT SHORT Gustavo Kuerten (news)'s French Open preparations were also cut short
when he lost 7-6, 6-4 to South African Wayne Ferreira.
There was little to separate the pair throughout the match, but Ferreira was
more aggressive and better at taking any opportunities that fell his way.
The 11th-seeded Brazilian (news - web sites) had the early advantage, breaking
for 2-1 and holding two break points in the fifth game after Ferreira had
leveled at 2-2.
Kuerten also led 4-1 in the tiebreak before surrendering the next six points,
and the former French Open champion was broken at 4-4 in the second set to leave
Ferreira serving for victory.
"There really wasn't much in it," said Ferreira. "In the first
set I struggled with my serve and didn't get any free games. It was a close set
and winning it was a big edge.
"I think if I had lost that it might have been a little bit difficult. The
second set was more in my favor. I served a lot better and got through my
service games a lot easier, and still made him work hard on his."
Unseeded Olivier Rochus of Belgium followed up his second- round win over French
Open champion Albert Costa (news) by ending the run of Britain's Tim Henman
(news).
Although Henman played well on occasions, Rochus won the first eight points of
the first set and the last 12 before taking a 4-0 lead in the second on the way
to a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
"There were some good periods, but it's something you have to string
together a bit longer," Henman said. "You look at the overall
consistency of his performance and it was certainly a lot better than mine and
when he had to produce something extra he hit some great passing shots and drop
shots.
"But it has been a positive week for me and something I can build on for
Roland Garros."
---------------------------------------------------
Gonzalez Upsets Hewitt at Hamburg Masters
44 minutes ago
By NESHA STARCEVIC, Associated Press Writer
HAMBURG, Germany - Top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt and three-time French Open champion
Gustavo Kuerten both had a rough day on clay, losing in the third round of the
Hamburg Masters.
Hewitt was upset by Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 Thursday, while the
11th-seeded Kuerten lost to Wayne Ferreira 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Hewitt, last year's Wimbledon (news - web sites) champion, was playing his first
tournament on clay this season. He struggled throughout this $2.4 million warmup
for the French Open, needing three sets to beat each of his first two opponents.
The 15th-seeded Gonzalez opened the match with a 5-0 lead in the first set.
Hewitt saved two set points to hold serve for the first time, but Gonzalez used
a smash to take the set. Though Hewitt rallied briefly, Gonzalez had too much in
the end.
"I got off to a slow start. I couldn't get into the match," Hewitt
said. "He doesn't give you any rhythm out there. He's one of those guys you
don't know which day you get him."
Kuerten is struggling to revive his clay-court game. The Brazilian (news - web
sites) has not won a title on this surface in 22 months. He had a hip operation
in February 2002 and still hasn't regained his steadiness on clay.
"I played more aggressive in the second set, I went for his serve
more," Ferreira said. "His forehand is not yet what it used to be,
he's missing some shots. His backhand is good, his serve is good. He used to
kill me on my backhand, but I've improved my own as well."
It was a historic day for Argentina, with four of five of its players reaching
the quarterfinals for the first time at a major tournament.
The only one who lost was defeated by a countryman — Agustin Calleri beat 1999
finalist Mariano Zabaleta 6-3, 6-0.
Wimbledon runner-up David Nalbandian defeated No. 9 seed Rainer Schuettler of
Germany 7-6 (3), 6-2, while Gaston Gaudio beat 16-year-old Rafael Nadal 6-2,
6-2. Nadal upset second-seeded Carlos Moya (news) in the second round.
Guillermo Coria advanced with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Mikhail Youzhny, and
Olivier Rochus defeated Tim Henman (news) 6-4, 6-3.
Hewitt Overcomes Clement in Second Hamburg Scare
HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt claimed his second nail-biting
victory in two days when he edged past Arnaud Clement of France, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6,
to reach the third round of the Hamburg Masters.
It took the Australian world number one more than three and a half hours to
squeeze out the victory, which followed a two-hour, 22-minute battle on Tuesday
against German wild card Markus Hantschk.
"I'm trying to make my three set matches into five-setters so I've got good
preparation for the French Open (news - web sites) (later this month),"
Hewitt said. (*lol*)
"There were times in the match I didn't feel I played my best tennis, but I
felt like I fought really hard and I came up with some big points at the right
time," he added.
Hewitt, struggling against the heavy conditions, dropped the first five games
before staging a remarkable comeback that almost earned him the set.
He pulled back to 5-5 and held off six set points before leading the tiebreak,
7-6. But a netted forehand cost him his chance and a perfect drop volley from
Clement gave the Frenchman the set.
Hewitt fought back in the second set to lead 5-0 before Clement pulled back to
5-4, but then dropped his serve a third time to give Hewitt the set.
In a dramatic finale, Clement broke serve with a superb forehand crosscourt pass
to lead 5-4 and serve for victory, but Hewitt responded by breaking serve.
In the tiebreak, Hewitt recovered from 3-5 and eventually closed out the match
on his second match point.
2nd rd match commentary www.eurosport.com
19:29 : Incredible determination from Lleyton Hewitt!! He has once again showed
why he is number one!!
19:28 : Hewitt does it!! He prepares his shot and forces Clement to stumble in
his return!! An incredible encounter for both players!!!
19:27 : 7-6 Hewitt! Clement's shot is long! Second match point! Clement to serve
19:26 : 6-6 Hewitt lets it go! Hewitt set up the point and sends his killer shot
miles out!
19:24 : 6-5 Hewitt! Clement overpowers his return! Match point for the Aussie
19:21 : 5-5 Clement misses his forehand!!
19:20 : 5-4 Clement whonets his return
19:20 : 5-3 Clement Great defence with a great angled volley!!
19:20 : 4-3 Clement. A brilliant volley by the Frenchman, a great element of
surprise!
19:18 : 3-3 Good attacking forehands from Hewitt!!
19:18 : 3-2 Clement, a nice wide serve by Hewit.
19:17 : 3-1 Clement.
19:16 : 2-1 Clement. hewitt nets his return!
19:15 : 1-1 Clement's forehand downd the line is wide!
19:14 : 1-0 Clement. Hewitt slips after his forehand return leaving the court
wide open for an easy return by Clement.
19:13 : Clement does it! Hewitt's return of serve is long!!!
19:13 : Hewitt fails to return Clement's hlaf volley giving the French man a
chance to hold his serve and send the set into a tie breaker!
19:12 : Clement misses a key point! A exciting exhancge at the net where Hewitt
dives to get the shot and clement, with the open court, misses the return!
19:06 : Hewitt holds his serve to take the lead!! A comfortable service game by
the Aussie!!
19:04 : Clement's return is out! Hewitt raises his level of game and levels the
score!! AMAZING!
19:03 : 15-40 Hewitt makes a great shot that Clement can't return correctly!!
Double break point for Hewitt
19:00 : 15-30 After a brilliant volley by Hewitt!!
19:00 : 15-15 Clement's return is long!
19:00 : 15-0 A very long rally where Hewitt's return is wide!
18:56 : He does it!! After a horrible smash in the last point Clement produces a
brilliant running forehand pass to grasp the break and a golden opportunity to
bring it home on his serve!
18:54 : Clement grasps a huge break point ! If he converts he has a great chance
to win this!!!
18:51 : Hewitt overpowers his forehand and Clement equalizes at four games!!
18:47 : Almost three hours of play!!
18:46 : Hewitt holds his serve and takes command of the decider.
18:42 : Clement's return down the line is wide and Hewitt is back in the set!!
18:41 : Clement blows away his return giving Hewitt another chance to break.
18:40 : He misses it! he nets his return and throws his raquet in desperation!
18:39 : Hewitt gets a break poitn after a very close line call.
18:30 : Hewitt lets go a 40-0 lead but finds a way through dodging a break
point!!
18:25 : Clement finally holds his serve after four uncharacteristic errors from
Hewitt.
18:23 : Three breaks of serev so far and both players are having a hard time
with their serve! Who evers manages to hold it will definitely take command of
the set.
18:21 : A great forehand roll by Clement earns him the break! 2-1 for the
Frenchman who will serve to go up 3-1.
18:20 : Hewitt is now struggling on his serve giving Clement a triple break
point!
18:18 : Hewitt digs out the drop shot and Clement's return is out!!Hewitt breaks
back to level the set.
18:17 : Clement offers Hewitt a double break point after another unforced
backhand error.
18:16 : Clement is getting greedy with his drop shot! Two consecutive attempts
and two lost points as Hewitt managed to make good returns!
18:13 : Clement converts the break as Hewitt makes another unforced error!!
18:12 : Triple break point for Clement! Great play in the first game of the
decider
18:10 : The third and final set is underway!!
18:06 : Clement overpowers his forehand giving away the point to Hewitt!! One
set all!
18:05 : Clement saves the first one with a nice drop shot!
18:05 : Clement wobbles and Hewitt gains three set points!
18:00 : Clement does it! His top spin works to perfection and regains the two
breaks back!! AMAZING! Same situation as in the first set!!!!
17:59 : Clement has another chance to break again!! NO timing on Hewitt's
side!!!
17:57 : Clement keeps cool and confirms his break with a love service game!!!
Hewitt on the other hand in losing his patience!
17:53 : Hewitt's return is long and gives Clement the break!!!! 5-2
17:52 : Hewitt saves the first with a strong forehand return!
17:51 : Clement has a double break point!!
17:48 : Hewitt is pounding Clement! But the Frenchman finally manages to score
his first game of the set, the same way Hewitt did in the first ont!!
17:45 : Hewitt continues his charge wearing Clement down! he holds his serve
taking a stunning 5-0! Same situation as in the first set but with a different
player!!! Will Clement be able to comeback?
17:41 : He does it! Clement's return stays at the net!! 4-0 for the Aussie!!
17:41 : Hewitt's aggressive game has put him in command and has a double break
point
17:36 : Hewitt holds his nerve and takes a 3-0 lead! He is in full control of
the set for the moment! Clement is struggling with his game!!
17:35 : Clement makes a horrible return and loses his chance to break.
17:33 : Clement grasp a break point and a chance to comeback on the score!!
17:30 : Clement's return is just over the baseline gifting Hewitt with the break
and a 2-0 lead.
17:29 : Clement nets a couple of returns giving Hewitt another break point!
17:27 : He saves the second one as well!
17:26 : Clement gets lucky as Hewitt's lob is out.
17:26 : Clement fumbles and gives Hewitt a double break point!
17:23 : A tight first game but Hewitt holds his nerve and serve to take the
lead!
17:18 : The second set is underway!
17:17 : Nerves of steel from both players!! A terrific first set where Clement
had six set points before converting!!! Hewitt made an icredible comeback
fighting to the end! This set could have gone either way it was just a matter of
one or two points!!!
17:16 : 9-7 Clement finally does it! He gets in down with a nice drop shot but
graps the set after a hard fougth set!!!
17:15 : Clement's sixth set point! Will he finally convert?
17:15 : 8-7 Clement as Hewitt contests the call insulting the chair umpire
telling him to go back to the satellites!!!
17:13 : 7-7 Hewitt nets his return!! This is just too much pressure for both
players!! The crowd is loving it!!!
17:12 : 7-6 Hewitt. Clement makes a sloppy return gifting Hewitt with his first
set point.
17:11 : 6-6 Hewitt makes the play and saves another set point! A great drop shot
by Clement but Hewitt comes up with just what's needed! He gets the ball before
it hits the deck outplaying Clement!!! AMAZING!!
17:10 : 6-5 Clement. Hewitt's return in long and Clement has a fifth set point!!
17:09 : 5-5 Hewitt is back!!!
170:9 : 5-4 Clement Hewitt fires a great passing shot!
17:07 : 5-3 Clement. The Frenchman's return is long.
17:07 : 5-2 Clement. Hewitt's drop shot is wide.
17:06 : 4-2 Clement. Clement's shot misses the baseline.
17:05 : 4-1 Clement. Hewitt nets again his return of serve and gets impatient!
17:04 : 3-1 Clement A strong serve by the Frenchman that forces Hewitt to net
his return
17:02 : 2-1 Clement, Hewitt's shot is just over the baseline.
17:02 : 1-1
17:01 : 1-0 Hewitt, Clement overpowers his return.
17:00 : An incredible turn of events for Clement who after leading 5-0 finds
himself in a stressfull tie breaker!!!
17:00 : A strong service game by Hewitt!!! It's TIE BREAKER time!!!
16:58 : Clement holds his serve and Hewitt will try to send this first set into
a tie breaker!!
16:53 : Five straight points by Hewitt!! He holds his serve and the set is five
games all!!! Incredible nerves by the Aussie!!
16:52 : Hewitt holds on and saves all three set points, the final one witha nice
backhand down the line!!
16:51 : Clement nets his return of serve as he gets up in the air and fails to
adjust his shot!
16:50 : Hewitt saves the first one with a strong forehand shot.
16:50 : Clement uses the time out to concentrate and comes back to grasp a
triple set point!!
16:46 : Hewitt fires a huge forehand to break Clement and serve to even the
score!! An incredible comeback by the Aussie who tightens his fist shouting
"come one"!!
16:43 : Hewitt gets a double break shot! Pressure has taken iver Clement's
game!!!
16:41 : Clement seems to have lost his momentum making errors he didn't do at
the beginning!!
16:40 : Hewitt holds his serve scoring the final point with a strong forehand!!!
Clement is serving for the set again!!!
16:38 : CLEMENT v HEWITT: The top seed seems to be back in the match! The
adrenaline is on call as he halts Clement's progress in the set!!
16:32 : CLEMENT v HEWITT: After a rather long game Hewitt holds on and manages
to break Clement!!! 5-2 in favour of Clement
16:29 : CLEMENT v HEWITT: Clement saves it and it's back to deuce!
16:28 : CLEMENT v HEWITT: The Aussie changes gears and starts to hit more
accurately achieving a break point.
16:24 : Hewitt finally holds his serve and scores his first game of the set.
16:20 : A nice and subtle service game for Clement! 5-0 as Hewitt continues to
struggle!!
16:19 : 13 unforced errors for Hewitt and only 5 for Clement so far!
16:17 : Hewitt's shot is wide gifting Clement with the point and the game! He
leads 4-0!!!
16:16 : Clement is on fire!!! he has a double break point after two unforced
errors by Hewitt!
16:11 : Clement's drop volley has been a great weapon so far against Hewitt.
Hewitt is missing easy shots and is getting mad at himself!!
16:09 : Clement holds his serve as Hewitt struggles to get into the match.
16:06 : Clement fights hard to break Hewitt who after saving three break points
double faults allowing Clement to clinch the break!! So 2-0 for the Frenchman!
16:03 : Hewitt struggles with is service game as Clement tests his ability to
attack!!
16:00 : Clement is putting on the pressure! He is producing incredible shots!!!
15:55 : Clement holds on to his serve with strong serves!
15:53 : Hewitt and Clement have finished their warm up and the matchis
underway!!
15:42 : Up next on centre court Lleyton Hewitt taking on Arnaud Clement!!!
!st rd TENNIS MASTERS HAMBURG MAY 13, 2003
Hewitt Survives
Local favorite Markus Hantschk gave top seed Hewitt a tough battle, as Moya,
Federer and Costa cruise through.
Lleyton Hewitt survived a major test in the first round of the Tennis Masters
Hamburg on Tuesday when he overcame German wild card Markus Hantschk in a
three-set marathon.
Hewitt's 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory had the capacity crowd of 15,000 at the
Rothenbaum on their feet, as the local favorite Hantschk gave the top seed a
real scare.
Hewitt, playing in his first ATP tournament since losing in the second round of
the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami to Francisco Clavet, needed to draw on all of his
experience to stop Hantschk from completing a dramatic comeback in what was an
electric atmosphere on Ladies' Day. Hewitt, a semifinalist two years ago, broke
serve in the 10th game of the final set, earning a place in the second round
against Arnaud Clement on his fourth match point.
Commentary of 1st rd match Lleyton defeats Hantschk
22:05 : What a finale to day two of the first round at the
Hamburg Masters. Please join eurosport.com again tomorrow for further live
scoring and comments... have a good evening!
22:03 : HEWITT PREVAILS... a cry of delight and it's all over! 6-1 4-6 6-4...
Hantsechk waves to the crowd... Lleyton waves also and the pair embrace... he
may have only won one match, but to Hewitt it may kick start a fabulous couple
of months
22:03 : Both men playing at the peak of their powers... crucnhing groundstrokes
and making sure both stay firmly behind the net... Hewitt attacks and Hentschk
frames and HEWITT has MATCH POINT number four...
22:02 : Hantschk makes sure he takes his time... but a second serve falls short
and a two-handed backhand by Hewitt sees him at MATCH POINT... first serve in
the net... second and the rally goes backhand to backhand... Hewitt nets...
DEUCE... the atmosphere is deafening... Lleytons usually revels in this
situation
21:59 : The German wins one back, but an extremely long rally ends with Hewitt
attempting a crosscourt winner as Hantschk headed towards the net... STILL
ALIVE!!!! Deuce
21:58 : He reels in a big serve, but Hewitt lets rip on a forehand return that
sears the line... TWO MATCH POINT... a cry and a jump... "C'mon!"
21:57 : A very dodgey call!!!! Hantschk ball looks to have hit the line... it
came off the metal strip... the umpire comes down from his chair, but can't
identify the mark, he calls the linejudge... he unbelievably can't either... the
umpire decides the call stands... he goes to the German and says as much...
0-30...
21:56 : The one constant shot in Hewitt's game tonight has been his lob...
another example and the Aussie grabs the first point of the Hantsachk serve...
21:54 : Hewitt looked to be on his way to winning the easiest game of the third
set, but hits two backhands out for 40-30... a flat hit forehand that rockets
off his racket, gives Hantschk no chance... "C'mon!!!" Running to his
chaor, he knows the enormity of holding serve at this point in the match... 5-4
21:53 : "Rusty" fires down an ace for 40-0, after a contentious call
the point before... the serves a topping the 190km/h mark now... Hewitt saving
his best for last...
21:50 : Brimming with confidence, Hantschk nails a serve, that has Hewitt
lunging in vain... 4-4... the crowd begin to chant his name again... a football
like atmosphere now
21:49 : Unwavering... Hewitt is going to have to do more with the ball to beat
Hantschk... the German leads 30-0. He has won the first point of his service
game during the third set... 40-0, a commanding winner... the crowd are silent,
you can hear a pin drop... first serve into the net, second serve returned back
with vigour... 40-15
21:46 : "C'mon" the first of the night... Hewitt never gives in and
every player know that... ADVANTAGE Lleyton... another net cord and the Aussie
wins the game for 4-3... he's clinging onto his lead... a fist pump, a glare to
Stoltenberg and he sits down at the change of ends
21:44 : A long long rally, backhand to backhand... Hewitt now moves his opponent
about... the German gets a net cord, the crowd gasp, popping up on Lleyton's
side... the Aussie puts it away as it sits nicely... DEUCE.... nail-biting stuff
21:43 : LUCKY BOY! Hewitt gets a net cord winner and as the tension mounts, the
German Davis Cup coach watches on... could Markus get a call-up and can he
develop after this match, scaling the world rankings... BREAK POINT HANTSCHK!!!!
21:42 : Two weeks ago Hantschk was losing to Golmard 6-1 6-3 in Mexico... now he
is playing the match of his life
21:40 : On the resquest of Hewitt the umpire comes down from his chair to
inspect a mark, which looks to have gone an inch out... the call stands...
HANTSCHK 40-0... Lleyton's game tonight is all too predicatable... rustyness
maybe, but he'll have a mountain to climb if his form doesn't come back this
week... what a difference an hour makes... the German serves out for 3-3... the
crowd start to chant his name... fans are cramming in now
21:37 : Hantschk to take an injury time out... the trainer calls for the three
minutes... the bandage is on... the trainer walks off... no time out needed...
the German to serve at 2-3... three minutes shy of the two hour mark
21:35 : Hewitt takes the grip off his racket at the interval... a trainer is
called... the umpire asks for bandages to cover a cut on Hantschk's hand... not
a blister, which may have been expected by two players who haven't played many
matches this year...
21:34 : Game point for the Aussie... Stoltenberg watches on quietly... he hits
his first serve way long and Hantschk overcooks a forehand... Game 3-2
21:33 : If Hewitt hits his first serves he tends to win the point, but over the
past ten games he has had to rely on other attributes of his game... Hantschk
playing the match of his life, slices a forehand winner... 30-30...
21:30 : The German holds serve with a divine sliced backhand that Hewitt - for
all his speed - can't hit over the net... Hantschk pumps his fist... definately
Davis Cup atmosphere... the match of round one... 2-2... GAME ON!
21:29 : Hantschk reaches game point and his confidence continues... a drive
volley is always risky whatever standard you may be... the German nets his and
it's DEUCE... the crowd groan
21:24 : A yell of "yeah" and Hewitt barely edges ahead 2-1! He knows
this match is being played in the mind now, but can Hantschk continue his
concentration. Hewitt makes every player hit balls, he isn't a Sampras or
Roddick (even!), who finish points quickly. he gives his opponents a chance. WHO
do YOU think will win? Emails to James Buddell on jbuddell@eurosport.co.uk
21:22 : Scrambling well he recovers, saving himself with a forehand winner close
to the net... the first fist pumps of the evening and you suspect that a
"C'mon" is near to coming... the crowd are now clapping for their man
every point... if this doesn't fuel German tennis for future success, nothing
will...
21:22 : Hewitt recovers to 30-30, but his movement isn't as good as fans
worldwide know it can be... his double-handed backhand is being exposed... if he
expects Hantschk to miss he is sadly mistaken... a tremendous backhand winner
sets up BREAK POINT! Absolutely nothing to lose
21:19 : Shaking on the serve now... Hewitt is relying more and more on his
second serve... Hantschk opens up a two point lead and the crowd are certainly
playing there part and only adding to the top seeds nerves...
21:18 : Hantschk loves to impersonate players serves and much like Jonas
Bjorkman he sometimes mimics then in live matches. Although he has yet to yet,
he serves well enough to win his serve to love... 1-1... winning with a stunning
drop-shot oozing confidence
21:15 : Hewitt making heavy work of his serve. Very few first serves are going
in and the crowd are clapping every missed chance. Certainly like a Cup
battle... 40-30! Markus trys to hard and frames a forehand... HEWITT 1-0
21:10 : The German played his way into the match. Hewitt should have closed the
door on him early in the second, but started to try to hard and overhit
relatively easy groundstrokes. The fact thta Hewitt rarely comes to the net
doesn't help, as he didn't expose the angles of the court as Hantschk ran yards
behind the baseline
21:08 : He hits the second serve deep into the service box to Hewitt's
backhand... the Aussie comes up with something a little special forcing him to
play a difficult volley... ONE MORE SET POINT! First serve in a short rally and
Hewitt nets! HANTSCHK 6-4! What a turnaround!
21:08 : This match is resembling a Davis Cup tie now. More and more German fans
are entering the covered arena... HANTSCHK sets up TWO SET POINTS... as Hewitt
nets a backhand return... the number one is feeling pressure... Markus breaks a
string in the middle of his first and second serve. Not the best timing!
21:03 : Hewitt makes sure, that the German has the difficult task of serving out
for a set. HANTSCHK has won one match and lost one on the ATP this year... he'll
be feeling the butterflies in his stomach now...
21:00 : Running round his backhand the German forces the pace... he holds for
5-3... Hewitt's parents look worried, Lleyton however has that distant gaze of
concentration
20:58 : Aligning his strings, Hewitt bides his time on setting himself to
return. Hantschk game has grown more consistent, while the top seed has gained
increasingly anxious... every game is going to deuce now. An upset looks
unlikely, as HEWITT sets up a BREAK POINT chance... Markus saves it, with a
serve that has good depth... DEUCE!
20:55 : Jason Stoltenberg needs to hope his coaching has lodged in Hewitt's
mind... after five weeks out, Hewitt looked so good in the first set, but now
the Australian faces a tight match... Hantschk's next serve is crucial to the
outcome of this first round tie
20:54 : The Austrlian survives, as the German's belief grows... 3-4
20:51 : TWO BREAK POINTS for HANTSCHK! Hewitt know he's in a battle now and this
match is likely to be heading for a third set... Markus is in inspired mood...
he has nothing to lose and therefore his strokes are unhindered
20:49 : A few deep breaths and a cracking backhand down the line by Hantschk
followed by glorious serving sees him gain game point... another unreturnable
and the German leads 4-2. The spectators love this unlikely duel... knocking the
tennis balls to the other end of the court, Hewitt looks to the roof and
noticably adjsts his ankle supports...
20:48 : Hewitt starts brightly in his attempt to break Hantschk. AT 0-15, he
lobs the German crosscourt to within inches of the line... but a backhand finds
the net and it's 15-30...
20:44 : HE SURVIVES, but ONLY JUST! A veyr lucky young man... nerves seemed to
get the better of Hantschk and he paid the price... HEWITT 2-3! Killer Cahill
looks on in the stands, he can't be happy by this second set display
20:43 : Pressing the forehand too much! Once again Hewitt hits an unforced error
and HANTSCHK has BREAK POINT number two... Lleyton is having none of it... and
races to the net to putaway a volley... DEUCE
20:41 : HEWITT faces another BREAK on his serve... MARKUS gets the chance for
the double break. Lleyton hits the first serve out, but his second serve is
returned into the net by the German DEUCE
20:37 : Hewitt reels in a game point that has HANTSCHK venting his annoyance...
Lleyton hits a routine crosscourt backhand out, setting up GAME POINT for
Markus... the Aussie on the basline is forcing the play, while Hantschk is
absorbing the awemsome power like a sponge. Hewitt makes the mistake and
HANTSCHK pumps his fist... it's 3-1
20:35 : His blue top is now dripping with sweat and he turns to the back of the
court to pick up a towel and wipe his face... Hantschk is working tremendously
hard and is determined to hold serve... a double point however doesn't help...
30-30! Great composure being shown now
20:31 : HANTSCHK gets the BREAK pumping his fists as a forehand passes a
stationary Hewitt... the corwd go wild... the German leads 2-1... what will be
Hewitt's response?
20:31 : Markus now playing ten feet behind the baseline, and he sets up TWO
BREAK POINTS with a backhand winner..... Hewitt adjusts his cap, taking his
time... first serve out... second serve kicks slightly and Hewitt's forehand
dies... 30-40... second time lucky for Hantschk... both players are certainly
going for it...
20:26 : HANTSCHK with his THIRD GAME POINT... once again his booming first serve
falls long and he lets rip into the second serve, coming in to putaway a
backhand... 1-1... playing through the tension now... that'll give him a boost
20:24 : Hewitt still fighting has all the power and penetration... he's cooking!
Looking lighter and faster around the court, he makes sure that he doesn't let
Hantschk serve slip away easily... Darren Cahill has done a tremendous job, to
make the two-time Grand Slam champion prove more consistent... but Stoltenberg
has continued his development. DEUCE!!!
20:20 : Hewitt once again storms to a 30-0 lead and contests a call, asking the
umpre to step down from his chair to inspect... the call of "out"
stands... Hantschk 15-30... he hits down a big first serve and follows it in,
again he learns from getting Lleyton off-balance it's 40-30 to the German... the
crowd cheer loudly
20:17 : Another easy hold and unless Hantschk starts to alter his tactics, this
may well have been a bye for Hewitt... the German does appear nervous, but he's
not challenging and contesting the rallies at all... HEWITT 1-0
20:12 : Stunning play by the Australian... a Pat Rafter-esque backhand smash
followed by a rocket of a backhand that lands inches inside the line, leaving
Hantschk gasping... TWO SET POINTS!!!! He doesn't look as if he's been away
from, the first set is complete, barely half an hour on the clock...
20:09 : Hewitt watches the ball onto his racket, playing a delicate drop shot...
he stands there admiring it, truly a master of his profession... 5-1...
20:04 : Hantschk holds on though and gets the biggest cheer of the day as he
ACES Hewitt on the Aussie's backhand side... that'll settle his nerves. It's
never nice to be bageled! 1-4
20:02 : With his parents watching on, the variation of Hewitt's shots is
stunning. He is confronted with Hantschk coming into the net... first shot low
to the German's feet, very hard! Second shot loops over his head.
19:58 : Hewitt survives, but only just! Lleyton is starting to sweat and as the
corwd slow clap at 4-0... this isn't the greatest situation to be in for
Hantschk
19:57 : BREAK POINT HANTSCHK!!!! The big German opens up his broad shoulders and
lets rip on a forehand that rockets down the line... with his confidence clearly
growing, Lleyton will have to serve deeper, because this 25-year-old has got a
classy one-handed backhand....
19:51 : TWO POINTS for the double BREAK!!! He waits for the first serve. Cap
turned backwards he sways side-to-side leaping on the kicker and smashing it
down the line... GAME 3-0... very impressive so far
19:47 : He never gives you much and at 40-15 he serves a big first serve down to
underline the break... it's 2-0! So stingey!
19:43 : The Australian gets the break, as Hantschk finds it hard to return a
kicked backhand... 1-0... the transparent roof covers the court. Lleyton looks
in the mood!
19:43 : Hewitt wearing a red shirt and black shorts, starts to put pressure on
the main tour rookie... BREAK POINT... on his return to the competitive scene...
Hantschk wearing all blue under pressure
19:39 : The German to open up... he wins the first point to great cheer
19:37 : Hantschk is 25 years-old he has $25,000 in prize money and has been
playing on the Challenger circuit... both players are warming up now... Hewitt
beat him in five sets in 2000 at Roland Garros, it has been their only meeting
19:34 : Hewitt has 19 singles titles and at the age of 22 has the small matter
of $11,372,169 in prize money. Last year he reached the quarter-finals and has a
2003 win/loss match record of 16-2. He has won $509,368 this year and is ranked
10th in the Race
19:30 : Hewitt and Hantschk wamk onto centre court...
18:56 : On court at 19:30 cet is Lleyton Hewitt, who'll be looking to win some
Champions Race points and catch veteran Andre Agassi for the number one spot...
the Aussie faces Markus Hantschk... please join us in under 35 minutes time for
more commentary
Hewitt gears up for French Open at Hamburg Masters
May 11, 2003
HAMBURG, Germany (Ticker) - Lleyton Hewitt has the chance to consolidate his
place at the top of the rankings when the Hamburg Masters begin on Monday.
The reigning Wimbledon Champion has yet to win a major claycourt title, although
he has been preparing hard on the surface in Germany for a full week.
Hewitt, 22, travelled to Berlin last Monday to be with his girlfriend Kim
Clijsters, assisting her run through to Sunday's final of the German Open, and
that enabled him to get plenty of practice on the red brick-dust at the
Rot-Weiss club with his coach Jason Stoltenberg.
A good run at the Rothenbaum stadium will help Hewitt believe that he can for
the first time go beyond the fourth round at the French Open, which is the event
rival Andre Agassi has his sights on.
For this reason, Agassi has withdrawn from Hamburg for the second successive
year, preferring to keep himself fresh for Roland Garros.
The American was 33 two weeks ago, underlining the over-riding need to be
careful with his energy over the year.
It means that Hewitt will also become the top seed at Hamburg, though he will
not be many people's favorite.
Among those with a better chance of the title are Carlos Moya, the former world
No. 1 from Spain whose tennis was developed on clay and who last month won the
Barcelona clay court title, and Roger Federer, the titleholder from Switzerland,
who became a clay court champion again a week ago in Munich and followed it by
reaching the final in Rome.
However, predicting the winner in Hamburg is an unusually difficult business.
There are frequently major surprises and a host of claycourt specialists from
Spain and South America who can create them, including Gustavo Kuerten, the
three-time French Open champion from Brazil.
One major name missing from Hamburg is the Grand Slam record-holder, Pete
Sampras, which suggests that the American cannot now, as some people suggested,
make a serious last attempt to capture the only major title to elude him in
Paris.
Hewitt aiming for Ferrero
08may03
Lleyton Hewitt will launch his fist-clenching, thigh-slapping, steely-eyed
assault on this month's French Open starved of match practice compared to
Spain's claycourt tennis machine and early title favourite Juan Carlos Ferrero.
But Davis Cup coach Wally Masur believes Australia's 22-year-old world No.1 will
benefit from having energy to burn as he attempts to end four years of
disappointments and anti-climaxes at Roland Garros.
Hewitt's appearance at the Hamburg Masters next week will be his first ATP
tournament since his disposal of Mark Philippoussis in the final at Scottsdale,
Arizona, on March 9.
"All this time off might end up helping Lleyton because he'll be fresh
compared to some of the other blokes who have been playing non-stop
lately," said Masur.
"A lot of times the guys who have done well going into the French lose
early because they've run out of fuel.
"You definitely need a certain amount of matches under your belt for your
confidence but the way Lleyton plays, his form is always there or thereabouts.
It doesn't dip and rise dramatically.
"Pat Rafter used to want a lot of matches under his belt but Lleyton's not
like that. Playing less than Ferrero or anybody else won't come into it, I don't
think.
"The French is gruelling and it's a tough assignment, but we all know that
you can't underestimate Lleyton.
"If he's happy and keen and ready to play, he's got that ability to rise to
an occasion.
"If he's up for it, which he will be, he'll take some beating regardless of
his preparation."
Hewitt has played only 18 matches from four tournaments this year compared to
seriously in-form Ferrero's 36 from nine.
Switzerland's Roger Federer has 38 matches from ten events while Hewitt's
nemesis, Spain's Carlos Moya, has 35 from nine.
Even Andre Agassi - who, aged 33, needs to conserve his energy more than the
young bucks - has 25 matches from six starts.
"The thing with Lleyton is that he never gets a break at the end of the
year," said Masur.
"He plays his heart out in the Masters, which takes him through to
December, and then on January 1 he's back into it at the Hopman Cup and then the
Australia Open is on and it's started all over again for him.
"This is probably the best time of year for him to take a breather."
Hewitt's first shot at the French was a first-round loss in 1999 to Argentina's
Martin Rodriguez.
He's been beaten in the fourth round twice (by Ferrero and Guillermo Canas) and
the quarter-finals once (Albert Costa).
Fully fit and with groundstrokes grooved, he should go better on clay.
"He's better suited to fast courts because of the flatter trajectory of the
ball off his racquet," said Masur.
"He's similar to Agassi in that way. On clay they can't dominate like they
can on hard courts or even grass.
"The courts are so slow they can't hit as many winners. That one extra ball
comes back at them."
Hewitt will partner Wayne Arthurs at the World Team Championship in Germany the
week before the French Open, which begins on May 26.