Tennis-Hewitt becomes new ``number one''
SYDNEY, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Australian teenager Lleyton Hewitt became the
unlikely new ``world number one'' in men's tennis on Saturday when he won his
second title in a week.
Hewitt completed a 10-match winning streak by blasting past compatriot Jason
Stoltenberg 6-4 6-0 in the men's final of the Sydney international.
The 18-year-old won a tour title in his native Adelaide a week ago, and the
two wins propelled him to the front of the ATP's ``2000 Champions' Race''
that has replaced the old rankings system. Hewitt had been ranked 22 at the
end of 1999.
The victory, in 53 minutes at the brand-new Sydney Olympic tennis centre, was
Hewitt's fourth career title and marked him out as a genuine contender for
the Australian Open grand slam starting on Monday.
Stoltenberg, a 29-year-old wildcard, has produced some of his best tennis in
years at the Sydney tournament, beating number two seed Nicolas Lapentti and
number seven seed Dominik Hrbaty en route to the final.
Hewitt broke Stoltenberg's service immediately to go 2-0 up in the first set,
but was broken back and had to restrain his exuberance as the two settled
into a baseline battle.
The youngster grew steadily in confidence, however, passing and lobbing his
opponent with amazing precision and broke Stoltenberg's serve in the 10th
game to take the set.
The 17-minute second set was a mere procession for the pony-tailed Hewitt,
who dominated on virtually every point.
Hewitt told the crowd he was especially pleased to lift the first title at
the new Olympic arena at Homebush Bay west of Sydney, where he hopes to fight
for the Olympic gold later this year.
``It makes victory a little bit sweeter, the first victory in this wonderful
arena,'' he said.
TEN: HEWITT WINS SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE
(from SportCentral-AAP)
SYDNEY, Jan 15 AAP - Adelaide teenager Lleyton Hewitt claimed his second
title of the year when he beat fellow Australian Jason Stoltenberg in the
final of the adidas International tennis tournament here today.
Hewitt was tested in the first set by 29-year-old Stoltenberg but blitzed the
second for a 6-4 6-0 win.
The pair traded breaks in the second and third games, but Hewitt got his
second break in the 10th game to seal the first set in 36 minutes.
Stoltenberg had no answer to the 18-year-old's consistency and pace around
the court, as he ran every ball down.
The second set was over in 17 minutes, with Hewitt controlling the match from
the baseline.
Last week Hewitt took out the Hardcourt Championships in Adelaide, with
today's win adding another $71,875 to his prizemoney total for the year.