Scrappy Hewitt Loses Match, Wins Over Fans at U.S.
Open
SportsTicker
NEW YORK (Sept. 7) -- Top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt failed to earn his
second straight U.S. Open title but may have finally won over many of
the fans whose ire he drew a year ago.
In his four-set semifinal loss to Andre Agassi, Hewitt showed plenty of
the fight and resolve that has propelled him to the top ranking in the
world.
And while Agassi and Pete Sampras will battle for likely the last time
in a U.S. Open final on Sunday, both players realize that Hewitt is a
force that will have to be reckoned with for quite some time.
"Lleyton has phenomenal strengths," Agassi said. "He's
asked to bring those every time. It's a competitive spirit that he has
shown that he does have so far."
"He's a very, very tough player," Sampras said. "He's
competitive, moves well. He's got a great return and serves pretty well
now."
Hewitt has successfully rebuilt his image after his alleged racist
remarks towards American James Blake here last year.
It started when he trounced Sampras in straight sets a year ago for the
title and continued when he won Wimbledon earlier this summer. Back at
the Open, he outdueled Blake in the third round in a match where both
players demonstrated great sportsmanship. Hewitt's on-court feistiness
and plucky demeanor has endeared him to the fans at the National Tennis
Center.
"They saw how I handled everything, I guess, when I had to play
American players and how I was able to block out all the attention and
everything going into the Blake match," Hewitt said. "How I
was able to put my head down and work extremely hard and dig out an
extremely tough match against a talented player."
Hewitt's ability to fight back was evident Saturday on numerous
occasions. Agassi served for the second set at 6-5, but Hewitt
immediately broke back to force a tiebreaker. Agassi was up a break at
4-2 in the third, but Hewitt rallied and eventually forced another
tiebreaker, which he won.
"I laid everything out there on center court this week,"
Hewitt said. "I can't do anything else. I can look in the mirror
tonight and know that I went out there and I gave everything I had
trying to defend the title."
Hewitt has clearly stamped himself as the top young gun in the men's
game and brings an extra dose of toughness to his game -- perhaps
because of his affinity for Australian Rules Football.
While Hewitt appears to be on his way to becoming a regular in Grand
Slam finals down the road, he is still waiting for another player in his
generation to step up as a worthy challenger.
"I've got to keep trying to give myself as good a possibility or
good a chance every time going into Slams to get to the final," he
said. "And then maybe I'll have (Andy) Roddick, or (Roger) Federer
or (Marat) Safin or someone up at the other end most times. I don't
know."
Hewitt pays tribute to Agassi
Outgoing champion Lleyton Hewitt said he had no regrets
as he saw his dreams of defending his US Open title shattered by a
rampant Andre Agassi.
Hewitt demonstrated all his familiar fighting
qualities in a four-set battle with Agassi, but could not contend with
the greater power and accuracy of the veteran American.
"There's no shame for me in losing to Andre
Agassi in a semi of a Slam," said Hewitt.
"He's one of the greatest players ever to live.
Sure, I'd love to be out there on Sunday, but I'm sure I'm going to
get a lot more chances too."
And Hewitt, who captured the Wimbledon title in
July, said he was proud of the way he had performed over the last
fortnight, despite his semi-final defeat.
"I feel like I came here and I played as well
as I probably could have," he said.
"I laid everything I had out there on court
this week - I can't do anything else.
"I can look in the mirror tonight and know that
I went out there and I gave everything I had trying to defend the
title."
The world number one said he understood the desire
of the American crowds to see one last showdown between Agassi and
Sampras.
"If I'm not allowed to be in the final, then
I'd love to see these two guys go for a final - I think everyone
would. I think it's great for men's tennis," he said.
The 21-year-old looked forward to forming a similar
rivalry with one of his contemporaries in the future.
"I think it's good for tennis - Connors,
McEnroe, Borg, all these guys were personalities out there going for
Grand Slams and big tournaments," he said.
"This year, we've had Costa and Johansson
winning Slams and we haven't had the big names like Agassi, Sampras in
the spotlight."
Men's Singles -
Semis
1
2
3
4
5
Lleyton
Hewitt (AUS)
4
65
77
2
Andre Agassi (USA)
6
7
6
6
Elapsed Time by Set:
35
59
52
33
Match Summary
Hewitt(AUS)
Agassi(USA)
1st
Serve %
47 of 117 = 40 %
84 of 131 = 64 %
Aces
6
7
Double
Faults
11
4
Unforced
Errors
49
50
Winning
% on 1st Serve
30 of 47 = 64 %
55 of 84 = 65 %
Winning
% on 2nd Serve
36 of 70 = 51 %
25 of 47 = 53 %
Winners
(Including Service)
41
44
Break
Point Conversions
6 of 13 = 46 %
9 of 14 = 64 %
Net
Approaches
10 of 16 = 63 %
20 of 29 = 69 %
Total
Points Won
117
131
Fastest
Serve
125 MPH
125 MPH
Average
1st Serve Speed
107 MPH
102 MPH
Average
2nd Serve Speed
84 MPH
80 MPH
Gamewatch: Hewitt v Agassi
All the action as defending champion and top seed
Lleyton Hewitt falls to two-time champion Andre Agassi in the US
Open semi-finals.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-6 Agassi
Agassi makes no mistake this time and delivers two aces on his way
to a 40-0 lead. Hewitt makes one final stand with two clean winners
to save two match points, but one final push by Agassi puts him into
a final against Pete Sampras.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-5 Agassi
Agassi puts himself on the brink of victory once again by pressing
Hewitt into errors. The Australian looks exhausted by his previous
efforts and wears a forlorn look when Agassi fires a forehand winner
into the open court.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-4 Agassi
Hewitt refuses to make it easy for Agassi to consolidate the
advantage, forcing the American to get involved in long draining
rallies. But an Agassi backhand down the line saves break point
before the sixth seed produces a superb drop shot to bring up game
point which he duly takes.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-3 Agassi
Agassi suddenly rediscovers the form that saw him through the first
two sets and stuns Hewitt by breaking. A wonderful drop volley puts
Hewitt on the back foot again.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-2 Agassi
Agassi finds himself in trouble at 0-30 but he digs deep again to
produce two enormous first serves and on game point plays a patient
rally before rifling a forehand winner cross court.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 2-1 Agassi
Hewitt holds comfortably to 15, with Agassi struggling to contain
his frustration.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 1-1 Agassi
Hewitt lets Agassi off the hook and fails to cement his current
dominance by making a string of errors.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) 1-0 Agassi
Agassi looks completely shaken and at 15-0 leaves a Hewitt shot that
lands well inside the line. The Australian holds to love.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-1) Agassi
Hewitt rescues the set with a brilliant tiebreak as Agassi fails to
lift his game when it counts. Hewitt finds his consistency and takes
the set when Agassi sends a backhand wide.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-6 Agassi
Agassi does the unthinkable and breaks back, clinching it with a
forehand that defies the belief of the crowd.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-5 Agassi
In an incredible turnaround, Hewitt breaks and will serve for set.
Agassi saves two break points with some accurate serving but he nets
a forehand to allow Hewitt back into the match.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 5-5 Agassi
Hewitt bravely holds serve as the crowd will Agassi onto victory.
The Australian holds to love, with Agassi failing to control his
groundstrokes.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 4-5 Agassi
Hewitt continues to make some unfamiliar errors and he lets Agassi
off the hook by allowing the sixth seed to hold with some ease.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 4-4 Agassi
Agassi produces an audacious drop shot to save one game point but
Hewitt replies with a brave angled forehand to level the set.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 3-4 Agassi
Hewitt shows admirable spirit by forcing three break points, a
forehand winner bringing up 0-40. The Australian is denied twice but
Agassi rifles a forehand beyond the baseline to concede his
advantage.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 2-4 Agassi
Hewitt steels himself for one final push by holding serve as Agassi
takes a breather.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 1-4 Agassi
Agassi holds to 15 with Hewitt still looking shell-shocked and
making too many errors.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 1-3 Agassi
Hewitt stems the flow by holding, but it is far from comfortable for
the struggling Australian.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 0-3 Agassi
Agassi delivers only his second ace of the match as he holds
comfortably and stretches his lead.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 0-2 Agassi
Hewitt is forced to push for greater length and power on his shots
but the gamble fails to pay off and Agassi gets the early break.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) 0-1 Agassi
Agassi holds the first service game of a set for the first time in
the match, refusing to allow his grip on the match slip.
Hewitt 4-6 6-7 (5-7) Agassi
Agassi puts the disappointment of losing a set point behind him in
the tiebreak with an incredible rally at 1-1. Hewitt looks in
control of the point when he reaches an Agassi drop shot and replies
with one of his own. But Agassi chases it down and then flicks away
a drive volley to send the crowd into raptures. Hewitt is clearly
shaken and soon finds himself 5-2 down. But the Australian fights
back to 5-5 before Hewitt throws in another error to gift Agassi set
point. The longest rally of the match follows and Agassi finally
takes a two-set lead when a Hewitt forehand lands in the net.
Hewitt 4-6 6-6 Agassi
More precision play from Agassi brings up his first set point but
the sixth seed double faults and Hewitt needs no further
encouragement. He fires a forehand passing shot to bring up break
point and gets himself back into the set when Agassi sends a
forehand into the net.
Hewitt 4-6 5-6 Agassi
A shaken Hewitt slumps to 0-30 when he puts an easy overhead into
the bottom of the net. He gets himself further into trouble when he
plays what looks like a winning drop volley but Agassi races to
reach it and puts away a forehand which sends the crowd into a
frenzy. The stadiumn erupts when Agassi breaks at the first
opportunity with another winning forehand.
Hewitt 4-6 5-5 Agassi
Agassi levels the set, wearing Hewitt down with quality of his
hitting. The power on Agassi's groundstrokes pushes Hewitt way
behind the baseline from where the Australian can make no impact.
Hewitt 4-6 5-4 Agassi
Agassi's fighting spirit sees the American engineer two break-back
points. The Australian saves the first with a superb backhand down
the line and Agassi nets a backhand of his own to concede the
second. However, the pressure tells on Hewitt and going for a big
second serve on a third break point, he double-faults.
Hewitt 4-6 5-3 Agassi
Hewitt emits his first cry of "C'mon" as he clinches a
break. Agassi makes a couple of unforced errors brought on by the
Australian's ability to chase down everything and Hewitt pounces on
the opportunity to serve for the set.
Hewitt 4-6 4-3 Agassi
Hewitt is coming back into the match, dictating the points more
often. The quality of the rallies remains astounding.
Hewitt 4-6 3-3 Agassi
Agassi rifles another backhand down the line to move to 30-0 but a
typically scrappy rally from Hewitt brings the Australian back into
the game. Agassi simply refocuses and a deep backhand elicits a
mistake from Hewitt.
Hewitt 4-6 2-2 Agassi
Agassi levels the set with a punishing service game, taking it to
love.
Hewitt 4-6 2-1 Agassi
The errors that blighted Hewitt in the first set come back to haunt
him and when the Australian sends a forehand wide, Agassi breaks
back.
Hewitt 4-6 2-0 Agassi
Hewitt takes advantage of a dip in Agassi's form to break early in
the set, as he did in the first.
Hewitt 4-6 1-0 Agassi
Hewitt steadies the ship by holding serve to love.
Hewitt 4-6 Agassi
The perfect game from Agassi who races into a 40-0 lead by dictating
the points from the baseline. An ace clinches the set.
Hewitt 4-5 Agassi
Hewitt's error count now exceeds his winners and the Australian gets
himself into trouble at 15-30. Agassi sends a return deep to
Hewitt's feet to bring up two break points. Hewitt saves the first
with an ace but after a long baseline rally, Agassi sends a forehand
down the line and will serve for the first set.
Hewitt 4-4 Agassi
Hewitt produces a desperate lob which bounces in to win the first
point but a couple of forehand errors allow Agassi to hold his
serve.
Hewitt 4-3 Agassi
Hewitt holds serve with ease, stopping a run of games for Agassi.
The atmosphere is already electric in the Arthur Ashe stadium, with
Agassi commanding the vasy majority of the support.
Hewitt 3-3 Agassi
Hewitt again piles the pressure on and Agassi is forced to come up
with some outrageous winners to hold onto his serve.
Hewitt 3-2 Agassi
Hewitt delivers his first double fault to fall to 0-30 and a
scintillating forehand return from Agassi brings up three break
points. The Las Vegan takes the first with another deep return which
Hewitt cannot contend with.
Hewitt 3-1 Agassi
Agassi gets his name on the board, holding to 30, but it is far from
easy as Hewitt demonstrates his usual fight.
Hewitt 3-0 Agassi
Hewitt survives a break point as Agassi begins to show glimpses of
his best form but the top seed shuts the door.
Hewitt 2-0 Agassi
Hewitt produces a stunning forehand down the line to clinch a break
at the first opportunity, with Agassi yet to find his familiar
intensity.
Hewitt 1-0 Agassi
The first game looks like a taster of things to some, the two
players engaging in some fascinating baseline rallies. Hewitt holds.
Agassi conquers Hewitt
Andre Agassi survived an attack of the nerves against defending champion Lleyton Hewitt to set up a US Open final clash with old foe Pete Sampras.
Agassi, champion at Flushing Meadows in 1994 and 1999, was poised to complete a straight-sets win over the Australian after opening up a 6-4 7-5 4-1 lead.
But the American suddenly lost control of the match, allowing Hewitt to take the third set on a tie-break.
Nothing in my career compares to playing against Pete - he's the best I've ever played against, and that forces you to do something special.
Agassi quickly regained his composure, taking the fourth set 6-2 to book a meeting with Sampras, who demolished giant Dutchman Sjeng Schalken in the first semi-final.
In a match of breathtaking quality at times, Hewitt took an early break in the first set but could not hold onto his advantage as Agassi slipped seamlessly into top gear.
The Las Vegan had Hewitt on the back foot with some searing returns and the Australian finally succumbed at 4-4 when his error count rose considerably.
Agassi again fell behind in the second set but broke straight back before a fired-up Hewitt broke again for a 5-3 lead.
But as the crowd threw their full weight behind Agassi, the American showed the kind of fighting spirit for which Hewitt has become famous.
He levelled the set at 5-5 before breaking again to serve for a two-set lead, but he double-faulted on set point and Hewitt needed no further invitation to roar back into the match.
In a closely-fought tiebreak, Hewitt recovered from a 5-2 deficit but Agassi refused to be bowed and after the longest rally of the match, looked to be well in command when Hewitt netted a forehand.
And Hewitt's crown was slipping away when he found himself 4-1 down in the third but incredibly the 20-year-old discovered yet more reserves of determination and battled back to 4-4.
He served for the set at 6-5, but a tiebreak eventually decided it and a rattled Agassi managed only one point.
The Australian looked favourite to complete a remarkable comeback as the fourth set began and the crowd was suddenly hushed by the sight of Agassi making some uncharacteristic errors.
But the Las Vegan steeled himself at 2-2 for one final push and began to show the form that had seen him through the first two and a half sets.
At break point, he dug out a near-impossible drop volley which even the scampering Hewitt could not reach and Agassi was back in control.
A further break down, a tired-looking Hewitt made one final stand to stave off two match points but it was not enough to stop Agassi clinching a remarkable win.
All the Way, Andre!
Saturday, September 7, 2002
To a roar of appreciation and a standing ovation, Andre Agassi vaulted past
the world's number 1 ranked player Lleyton Hewitt to capture his place in the
2002 US Open men's finals. With tight playing, brilliant baseline rallies, and
fierce concentration, crowd favorite Agassi retired Hewitt in four sets, 6-4,
7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (1-7), 6-2, earning the chance to battle old nemesis Pete
Sampras for the crown.
Although Agassi took the first point of the match, Hewitt powered past him to
achieve a three-game lead. However, Agassi took the next three games, winning
a triple break in the fifth game and tying up the score in the sixth. He
dropped only one more game to Hewitt before clinching the set with a 109-mph
ace.
The second set continued the compelling baseline rallies and pinpoint-accurate
passing shots that characterized the first. Both players lost early break
points, and both would ultimately end up converting three of five of their
break points in the set. Playing to a boisterous crowd, Hewitt double faulted
in the ninth to blow a 5-3 lead, and Agassi took his chance to even up the
score. As Hewitt started to crack in the 11th, netting an easy overhead smash,
Agassi brought the crowd to its feet with a ripping triple break point passing
shot. He couldn't hold on to the 6-5 lead, however, and allowed Hewitt to push
him into a tie-breaker before he eeked out a 7-5 win.
Buoyed by the momentum of the past two sets, Agassi shot ahead, pulling out a
121-mph ace for a three-game lead. Down 1-4, Hewitt refused to give up,
digging deep and winning the next three games to tie up the score. Agassi,
battling hard for every point, took the ninth game, putting him within a game
of the match before Hewitt again tied it up at 5-5.
To chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" coming from the stands, Agassi took
service, and although he held out against triple break point, he couldn't
ultimately keep the game from Hewitt, who pushed ahead 6-5. Agassi tied up the
set with a brilliant cross court shot, but it wasn't enough, and Hewitt
handily won the tie-break 7-1.
In the beginning of what would be the final set, Hewitt came out strong but
proved to be no match for Agassi, who took charge in the fourth game and never
relented. With the most supportive crowd seen yet at the Open cheering him on,
Agassi opened the final game with two powerful aces and closed out the match
to yet another standing ovation.
Agassi hit 44 winners to Hewitt's 41, seven aces to Hewitt's six, 50 unforced
errors to Hewitt's 49, and nine of 14 break point conversions to Hewitt's 6
TENNIS: He's not just great, he's superhuman
07sep02
AUSTRALIAN tennis legend Rod Laver has described Lleyton Hewitt as
"superhuman" and believes he will welcome Hewitt to an elite club of
men to win both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Laver said yesterday he expected Hewitt's desire and fitness to help him
overcome veteran Andre Agassi in the semi-finals and become the sixth man in the
Open era to hold the sport's two biggest titles.
"It's not that Andre is too old, but he could be tired late in the second
week and this is where Lleyton starts to wear down his opponents," said
Laver.
Laver won the "double" in 1969, the year of his unique second
calendar-year Grand Slam.
"I think Lleyton has to be favoured. As a competitor, there is none better
than Lleyton. He
is superhuman," Laver said.
"He showed that by how he fought his way back against Wimbledon (to win a
quarter-final against Dutchman Sjeng Schalken) and he is so confident."
Agassi had two lay-days since his quarter-final win over Max Mirnyi and he
notably cancelled a planned practice session on the first day off.
"Andre is such a clean hitter, but from a mental standpoint, Lleyton wants
to win every point and I felt that way when I played," Laver said.
"You don't let somebody up when you have them down – you keep pushing
them down. That was the way I used to like to play.
"Being this good at this age, he will get a lot stronger and he's going to
be a great champion."
Hewitt said his two wins over Agassi in as many matches this year could be
"thrown out the window" as a factor in their showdown tomorrow morning
because it will be their first career encounter over a best-of-five set
distance.
The Australian said he had not thought about his place in tennis history if he
kept chasing down Grand Slam titles.
"It doesn't even enter my mind. I'm not even going to go close to putting
myself in the same category as Laver, (Pete) Sampras, Agassi, whoever,"
Hewitt said.
"I'm not putting anything on myself to win then Most Slams or whatever. If
it comes, it comes.
"It's beyond my wildest dreams what I have done at the age of 21. I don't
know if I'll be out there, running around the way he (Agassi) is and still have
the motivation (at 32)."
Agassi has gained knowledge of Hewitt's improving game during 2002 from his San
Jose and Cincinnati losses to the world No 1, the American's coach Darren Cahill
said.
"Every time Andre plays Lleyton he seems to learn a little more about
Lleyton's game," said Cahill, an Australian who coached Hewitt to his
maiden major title in New York last year.
"Andre's a complete professional and he's so fit because his work ethic
hasn't dropped one bit."
Laver salutes super Hewitt
By PAUL MALONE
07sep02
AUSTRALIAN tennis legend Rod Laver has branded Lleyton Hewitt
"super-human" and believes he will welcome Hewitt to an elite club of
men to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year.
Laver said yesterday he expected Hewitt's fitness and desire to help him
overcome veteran Andre Agassi in the semi-finals and become the Sixth man in the
Open era to capture the sport's two biggest titles in the same year.
"It's not that Andre is too old, but he could be tired late in the second
week and this is where Lleyton starts to wear down his opponents," said
Laver, who won the "double" in 1969, the year of his unique second
calendar-year Grand Slam.
"I think Lleyton has to be favoured," he said. "As a competitor,
there is none better than Lleyton. He is super-human. He showed that by how he
fought his way back against Wimbledon (to win a quarter-final against Dutchman
Sjeng Schalken) and he is so confident."
Hewitt said his two wins against Agassi in as many matches this year could be
"thrown out the window" as a factor in their showdown tomorrow morning
because it will be their first career encounter at a best-of-five-sets distance.
Pete Sampras said: "It's going to be a classic. They're going to have a lot
of great rallies."
He declined to tip a winner.
Laver said Agassi, 32, would probably eventually struggle with the mobility and
retrieval skills which he thinks separates Hewitt from his rivals.
"Andre is such a clean hitter, but from a mental standpoint, Lleyton wants
to win every point and I felt that way when I played," Laver said.
"Being this good at this age, he will get a lot stronger and he's going to
be a great champion."
Hewitt would join Laver, Jimmy Connors (twice), John McEnroe (twice), Boris
Becker and
Sampras (twice) as men to have pocketed the Wimbledon and US Open plums in the
same year.
The Australian said he had not thought about his place in tennis history if he
kept chasing down grand slam titles.
"It doesn't even enter my mind. I'm not even going to go close to putting
myself in the same category as Laver, Sampras, Agassi, whoever," Hewitt
said.
"I'm not putting anything on myself to win the most slams or whatever. If
it comes, it comes.
"It's beyond my wildest dreams what I have done at the age of 21. I don't
sort of worry about what other people think or put a tag on you."
Agassi has gained knowledge of Hewitt's improving game during 2002 from his San
Jose and Cincinnati losses to the world No. 1, the merican's coach Darren Cahill
said.
"Every time Andre plays Lleyton, he seems to learn a little more about
Lleyton's game," said Cahill, the Australian who coached Hewitt to his
maiden major title in New York last year.
"Andre's a complete professional and he's so fit because his work ethic
hasn't dropped one bit."
Hewitt's Davis Cup team mate Todd Woodbridge feared Agassi's form in New York
indicated he would end Hewitt's run of 17 US Open wins in 18 matches.
"I think Andre has looked better and is a little bit of a favourite,"
Woodbridge said.
"But every time I have ever thought something about Lleyton, he has come
back to prove me wrong and I hope he proves me wrong again."
BATTLE OF GRINDERS IN OPEN SEMI
Hewitt vs. Agassi: a clash for the ages
By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net
FROM THE U.S. OPEN – This will probably be the last time that the 32-year-old
Andre Agassi will seriously contend for the U.S. Open title and he couldn't have
asked for a more difficult semifinal opponent than No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, who has
taken his best blows this year and counterpunched him sharply into the canvas.
Hewitt is a faster version of Andre with a better serve and volley, but still
doesn't think as adeptly on court nor hit as hard. "He's difficult for
everybody," Agassi said. "He's been No. 1 in the world now for almost
a full year. He makes you play a great match to beat him. I've just got to come
out there and do it."
Agassi is attempting to become the oldest player to win the Open since Aussie
Ken Rosewall won it at age 35 in 1970. But as most men in the locker room know,
he's a conditioning freak, often running the sandy hills behind his Las Vegas
home with his trainer, Gil Reyes.
"He's in great shape, I don't care what age he is," Hewitt said.
"He looks as fit as ever to me. He looks stronger than he's been probably
in the past as well. I can't recall too many matches that Andre's lost because
of his fitness. So I throw his age right out the window."
That Agassi is stronger that Hewitt hides the fact in their last three matches
Hewitt has banged more winners than Andre. The Aussie took the American down
6-3, 6-4 at the '01 Tennis Masters Cup; 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) in February's San
Jose final (arguably the best two-out-of-three set match played this year) and
7-5, 6-3 a month ago in the Cincinnati quarters. In San Jose, Hewitt crushed 63
winners to 32 from Agassi, which is an amazing feat for a 150-pounder over one
of the game's true strongmen.
HEWITT: AGGRESSIVE, COMPETITIVE, CONSISTENT
"Lleyton has a good ability to sense and step in big situations," said
Agassi at the time. "He's a great competitor, his game is consistent and
when he's down he's plays big situations aggressively and takes control of the
point. That's the sign of somebody who's ready for big moments. He has great
skill and is earning his place with the best of us."
Agassi won two of their meetings, in L.A. in '99 and at '01 Indian Wells, but
remarkably, Hewitt won their first meeting in '98 in his hometown in Adelaide,
when Hewitt was a rail thin 16-year-old with the complexion of a kid who spends
too much money at the corner candy store. But Hewitt already had the makings of
a never-say-die, dogged retriever and ran down everything that the legend threw
at him. The result was a 7-6, 7-6 shocker for Hewitt.
"I didn't believe it, that that was my opponent,'' Agassi said. "He
just seemed like he had a couple of strings hanging in his shoes. I was like
0-for-17 on breakpoints. We didn't break each other the whole match.''
Incredibly, Hewitt went on to win the tournament, becoming the youngest tour
winner since Michael Chang in '88.
Since that time, Hewitt has grinded toward No. 1 with destructive force of an
Alaskan icebreaker, grabbing the '01 U.S. Open title and '02 Wimbledon, while
Agassi primed in mid and late career and captured four Slam crowns, becoming the
only male ever to win majors on four different surfaces.
"We've had some good matches," Hewitt said. "We've never played
at a Slam. That part will be interesting. I have to go out there with the
attitude that I have to play my game and hopefully it matches up well on the
day."
LONG RALLIES ... WITH GUTS AND ACCURACY
Without question, their semifinal will feature constant end to end rallies and
long, nail biting exchanges. Agassi has a bigger forehand than Hewitt, but the
21-year-old matches up well on the backhand side and loves engaging in
crosscourt backhand rallies with Agassi. Many of the points will be determined
by who has the guts to gun a stroke down the line first, and in their last three
matches, it's been Hewitt who's been more accurate when he's gone that way.
"Its a fine line you walk against someone like Lleyton because you want to
take some chances but you can't afford to take unnecessary risks," Agassi
said. "That's the balance you always try to walk. You want to control
point, but you don't want to press. It's about playing the right shots at the
right time."
Plus, Hewitt will run down a nearly impossible gets that Agassi won't. Hewitt
has a deceptively good inside-out forehand that he'll employ at key moments, but
Agassi has used this tournament as a testing ground for his improving volleys.
Moreover, he'll have what should be a sellout crowd loudly backing him.
"He obviously hits the ball extremely clean and extremely well from the
back of the court. It's tough to get too many cheap points," Hewitt said.
"His serve is very underrated. He hits it in a position where he's going to
get that next short ball and pound his groundies, which he does so well."
In San Jose, Agassi continued the same ugly pattern that he established in
Adelaide: He was only two for 21 on break point opportunities. However, Agassi
committed only three unforced errors out of the 19 break points he didn't
convert – the rest were winners by Hewitt, a statistic that should never be
forgotten.
These two are the most accomplished return of servers on the planet, with Agassi
a stronger returner when he's facing baseliners and Hewitt having the edge
against serve-and-volleyers. You can bet that both men will have numerous
opportunities to break the other on Super Saturday and the last man standing
will be the one who plays gutsy, nerve-free tennis during the closing moments.
"It's going to be a tough match," Agassi said. [sic/correction: this
was Hewitt's quote about Agassi.] "I've got to play as well as I can if I'm
going to win. But then again, he's going to have to play as well as he can,
too."
Agassi, Hewitt face off in semifinals
Posted: Thursday September 05, 2002 10:25 AM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Andre Agassi laughed the first time he saw Lleyton Hewitt, a
scrawny, 16-year-old high school junior with straggly hair, backward cap and
safety pins holding up his baggy shorts.
Hewitt was a runt, maybe 5-foot-9 (1.8 meters)in his sneakers and three pairs of
socks. Ballboys were bigger and stronger. So were the ballgirls. He looked as if
he had been picked out of the crowd in a cute public relations stunt: local kid
meets his idol. If Hewitt had pulled out a pen and pad and asked for his
autograph, Agassi wouldn't have been surprised.
They were in Adelaide, Australia, Hewitt's hometown, and the tournament was a
tuneup for the 1998 Australian Open. Hewitt was crawling up the rankings between
classes and had reached No. 550. Agassi had been No. 1 and would be again, but
at the moment he was on a pit stop at No. 122, working his way back from
injuries and a journey to the nether world of the Challenger tour.
"I didn't believe it, that that was my opponent," Agassi says now,
smiling at the memory. "He just seemed like he had a couple of strings
hanging in his shoes."
Two hours later, Agassi wasn't laughing anymore. He was ticked off. The kid was
a cocky baseliner with fiery eyes who ran wind sprints all over the court on a
broiling day, making Agassi dizzy just watching him. Hewitt served soft but he
chased everything down, and when it was over he had beaten Agassi, 7-6, 7-6, to
reach the final.
"I was like 0-for-17 on breakpoints," Agassi says. "We didn't
break each other the whole match."
Hewitt went on to win the tournament, becoming the youngest tour winner since
Michael Chang in 1988 and the lowest-ranked winner in tour history.
Now at No. 1, the defending U.S. Open champion and reigning Wimbledon champ,
Hewitt is a tad taller, serves like the big boys and still chases down balls
like a roadrunner, the way he did in that first match against Agassi.
When they meet Friday in the Open semifinals, their first Grand Slam match,
Hewitt will be coming in with three straight victories over Agassi and a 4-2
lead overall.
The difference in their ages -- Agassi, at 32, is 11 years older -- means
little. Agassi looked as if he could play all night when he won a four-setter
against Max Mirnyi in Wednesday's quarterfinals.
"He's in great shape, I don't care what age he is," Hewitt says.
"He looks as fit as ever to me. He looks stronger than he's been probably
in the past as well. I can't recall too many matches that Andre's lost because
of his fitness. So I throw his age right out the window."
Hewitt reckoned he also could throw out his last couple of victories over him --
in San Jose in February and Cincinnati last month. This time, it's best-of-five
in a U.S. Open with a crowd that's going to be 99 percent for Agassi.
This is a match that has all the signs of a classic in the making. It's Hewitt
coming on in his career and Agassi on his way out, yet both close to their peak.
They're the dominant baseliners of their eras and, at this moment, their eras
are colliding.
Hewitt has the edge in speed and range. He doesn't create points so much as he
whacks winners every chance he gets. Agassi is stronger, a master tactician who
tries to control points from midcourt and wear down opponents. Trouble is,
Hewitt can run all day.
They both can crank up serves in the 125 mph range, though Hewitt may have a
slight advantage with his accuracy as he peppers the corners.
"It's a fine line you walk against somebody like Lleyton," Agassi
says. "You want to certainly take some chances, but you can't afford to
take unnecessary risks. I think that's the balance that you always try to walk.
... You want to control points, but you don't want to press. It's about playing
the right shot at the right time."
Hewitt sizes up the challenge this way:
"He obviously hits the ball extremely clean and extremely well from the
back of the court. It's tough to get too many cheap points. His serve is very
underrated. ... He hits it in a position where he's going to get that next short
ball and pound his groundies, which he does so well."
The best matches are usually the ones between players of contrasting styles --
puncher vs. counterpuncher, baseliner vs. serve-and-volleyer.
This time, as similar as Agassi and Hewitt are, the sizzle will come from their
long, brutal rallies and a history that began four years ago when Hewitt was
still wearing safety pins.
Agassi-Hewitt Renew the Hottest Rivalry in Tennis
Hewitt has won last three meetings, but Agassi hungry for eighth Grand Slam
title.
In what has become the hottest rivalry of 2002, Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi
will face one another for the third time this year and first time in a Grand
Slam.
Hewitt defeated No. 20 seed Younes El Aynaoui on Wednesday to reach the final
four, while Agassi dismantled No. 32 seed Max Mirnyi to reach the semifinals of
the US Open for the eighth time in his career.
Arguably the best two hard court players in the game, Hewitt and Agassi square
off on Friday for a spot in the year's final Grand Slam championship match. The
Australian No. 1 leads the overall series with Agassi, 4-2, and has won their
last three meetings, including a straight sets win several weeks ago in
Cincinnati.
Hewitt has been on the winning side in his first two encounters with Agassi this
year, defeating the American in San Jose and also in Cincinnati.
In San Jose, Hewitt saved two match points to Agassi, 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) - a
four-time tournament winner at the Siebel Open. It is the only time this year
that Agassi has lost a match after winning the first set.
Hewitt also saved an incredible 19 of 21 break points in this 2 hour, 57 minute
affair.
There next meeting came as the summer hard court circuit was heating up with a
quarterfinal encounter at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters.
Agassi, fresh off a win in Los Angeles two weeks prior, was punished by the
World No. 1.
Despite falling behind 3-0 to begin the match, Hewitt surged back win seven of
the next nine games to take a 7-5, 6-3 win in 1 hour, 41 minutes. Again, Agassi
was able to only convert 2-of-8 break points.
This time, the stakes have never been higher. Hewitt is seeking his third career
Grand Slam title and second straight, while Agassi remains hungry for an eighth
Grand Slam title.
Agassi Notes: Agassi looking to win his eighth Grand Slam title and first since
the 2001 Australian Open?Won the US Open in 1994 and 1999?Agassi reached the
semifinals at the US Open for the eighth time in his career?Agassi's 181 Grand
Slam victories trails only Jimmy Connors (233), Ivan Lendl (222) and Pete
Sampras (200)?Has won four titles this year (Scottsdale, Miami, Rome, Los
Angeles)?Reached final in San Jose before losing to Hewitt?Agassi is playing in
his 49th Grand Slam tournament, which ties him for 10th place in the Open
Era?The last time Agassi reached the semifinals in a Grand Slam without dropping
a set was the 1995 Australian Open, which he ended up winning?Agassi is 40-1
this year after winning the first set.
Hewitt Notes: Hewitt has a 23-match winning streak against American players?Has
won 52 matches this year, tied with Andy Roddick for the ATP lead?Hewitt is
looking to become only the seventh man to win back-to-back US Open titles in the
Open Era, joining the exclusive list of John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl,
Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras and Patrick Rafter?Looking to become first player
since Pete Sampras in 1995 to win Wimbledon and US Open in same year?Hewitt has
won four titles this year (San Jose, Indian Wells, Queen's, Wimbledon)?Reached
finals in Cincinnati before losing to Guillermo Canas?Hewitt is 40-3 this year
after winning the first set. Two of his losses after winning the first set have
come at Grand Slam tournaments (l. to Alberto Martin at the Australian Open; l.
to Guillermo Canas at Roland Garros).
