August 28 - September 10

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Quarterfinal defeated by Roddick 6-3 7-5 6-4

It had the feeling of a showdown when Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick faced off against each other on Arthur Ashe Stadium in their men's quarterfinal match late Wednesday evening. Only one could survive, and it was Roddick, taking the match 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

"It's a new chapter," said Roddick after the match. "I competed well. I didn't panic, which is maybe what I've done against Lleyton before. I was patient and tried to make him come up with the goods."

The 25-year-old Hewitt and 24-year-old Roddick both came out firing right from the first serve. Roddick, the No. 9 seed and Hewitt, the No. 15 seed, relied on their power as they see-sawed their way from game to game, until Roddick was finally able to gain an edge and go up a break, quickly taking the set on one of his screaming aces.

Both men have experienced most of their success on hard court, so this was a prime match-up between two players in their element. The tempo increased with every game and the energy emanating from the court was almost palpable.

The crowd was so caught up in the excitement that they spontaneously began the Wave in the middle of the second set, which the chair umpire finally had to put a stop to by addressing them politely saying, "Thank you for the Wave," so play could resume.

Neither player was going to give an inch and they fought for every point, although with many of the serves, all either man could do was watch as they whizzed by.

Net play was infrequent (with Roddick coming in far more than Hewitt), but on the occassional approach, a deft and precise touch was displayed by both.

In the second set, Hewitt managed a break, but there was no let-up from Roddick and he banked that one too. After an outfit change on both sides, the third set began with Roddick so pumped up he almost appeared to be levitating. As quick and agile as his opponent is, Roddick was simply operating on another level.

With new coach Jimmy Connors watching intently courtside, Roddick wrapped it up with a service winner to his own clear delight and that of the throngs watching in Arthur Ashe.

Rd 4 defeated Richard Gasquet 6-4-6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3

LLEYTON Hewitt reached his seventh straight US Open quarter-final today with a hard-fought five-set win over talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet. Hewitt will face American crowd favourite Andy Roddick on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) after outlasting a cramping Gasquet 6-4 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 in three hours and 33 minutes.
Australia's 15th seed - who had been in doubt for the last grand slam tournament of the year - now stands within three wins of adding an unlikely second Open title to his collection after lifting the trophy in New York in 2001.

"This is where it all started for me in the grand slams and it's great to be in another quarter-final," Hewitt said.

Having not dropped a set in his opening three matches this campaign, Hewitt appeared to be cruising to another comfortable victory until Gasquet stole the third and fourth sets and threatened to inflict a rare defeat on the South Australian from two sets up. But as Gasquet's body began seizing up in the fifth set, Hewitt held his nerve to win his 10th successive match that has gone the full distance. Hewitt and Gasquet traded four service breaks in the opening five games of the match before the Australian produced a brilliant backhand crosscourt pass to seize the initiative with another break to go up 5-4.

He closed out the set in 35 minutes and appeared in control after breaking the Frenchman for a fourth time in the opening game of the second set. Hewitt took the second set with the decisive service break in the ninth game and games went with serve in the third set until, when serving at 4-4, the Australian was inexplicably broken from 40-love up, giving Gasquet an unexpected lifeline.

Hewitt dug a deep hole for himself when he double-faulted and then pulled a forehand wide to drop serve again and fall behind 3-0 in the fourth set. He rallied to break back for 3-3, somehow hitting a winner after stretching desperately to reach a Gasquet drop shot on break point against the Frenchman. But a nervy missed drop shot attempt of his own followed by an overhit backhand lob cost Hewitt when he was broken in the eighth game. Gasquet closed out the set to force the decider and immediately called for the ATP trainer to treat an a left thigh injury.

But Gasquet, one of only four players to beat world No.1 Roger Federer last year and a losing finalist against the Swiss master last month in Toronto, was unable to sustain his challenge in the fifth set. He dropped serve with a wild smash to fall behind 3-0, calling for more treatment from the trainer, and the writing was on the wall.

Gasquet was cramping badly by the time Hewitt stepped up to serve for the match and, despite gallantly saving two match points with breathtaking winners, the Australian eventually triumphed with a forehand winner into an open court.

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Rd 3 defeated Novak Djokovic  6-3 6-1 6-2

   
LLEYTON Hewitt has surprised even himself with his trouble-free charge to the second week of the US Open.
Having been in doubt for the final major of the season until the start to the tournament last Tuesday morning (AEST), Hewitt reached the last 16 for the seventh successive year with a highly impressive 6-3 6-1 6-2 victory over rising Serbian teenager Novak Djokovic today.
The No.15 seed next plays Richard Gasquet in the feature night match tomorrow (11am AEST) for a place in the quarter-finals.
All things considered, Hewitt has already enjoyed another successful campaign – as he said he wouldn't have played, had the tournament not been a grand slam, after tearing a patella tendon in his right knee three weeks ago.
"When I had the injury, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to walk on the court, let alone compete," Hewitt said today.
"I'm obviously happy with the way I can compete out there at the moment.
"It's been good that I've been able to get through my matches in straight sets as well, and not put too much strain on it - unnecessary strain anyway.
"It's not getting any worse.
"It's hard to see it getting to 100 per cent at the moment. If I keep going, then hopefully it will."
Djokovic, the world No.23, was expected to challenge Hewitt seriously after rising 60 places up the rankings this year – having made the quarter-finals at the French Open and the round of 16 at Wimbledon, and snaring his maiden career title in the Netherlands. But the 19 year old was unable to match the 2001 champion, who promised to continue pushing through the pain barrier and "lay it all on the line" now he had a sniff of another grand slam crown.
"This is exactly what I could have hoped for, an hour-and-a-half match," Hewitt said.
"To get through against a guy that can play that well, that gives me a lot of confidence going into a similar kind of match-up against Gasquet.
"I've put myself in a position to have another crack in the second week of the US Open, which is always nice."
In addition to winning in 2001, Hewitt was runner-up in 2004 to world No.1 Roger Federer and has reached the semi-finals or better five of the past six years. He thrives in New York's electric atmosphere and revels on the high-bouncing hard courts.
"I love the courts here" Hewitt said.
"I've always been a fan of them. They suit my game well.
"I've played a lot of matches on all three of the show courts over the years. They're all unique in their own way. They're all a good feeling out there.
"Like today, I felt very close to the crowd. It was a good atmosphere out there even though it wasn't totally full either."
Gasquet meanwhile progressed with a four-set win over Marco Chiudinelli from Switzerland.
"He can play," Hewitt said of the No.25 seed. "He's obviously feeling pretty comfortable on hard courts at the moment, making the final of Toronto and pushing Federer in that match, but I feel as comfortable as anyone, I think, on this kind of court."

another article

"No. 15 seed Lleyton Hewitt spent the first six games of his third-round match against Novak Djokovic quietly biding his time, waiting for a window to open up and allow him the edge over the 20th-seeded Serbian. Tied at three games apiece, the 2001 US Open champion wasn't the slightest bit rattled because he knew he had Djokovic right where he wanted him. And the instant that Djokovic's groundstroke sailed long on break point, Hewitt erupted with his first and only "C'mon!" of the match for 4-3. After that, the match was all Hewitt, as he deflated Djokovic's game and cruised into the round of 16 with a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 win Sunday afternoon.Hewitt topped both Albert Montanes and Jan Hernych in straight sets before taking out Djokovic.

The 25-year-old Australian stayed on top throughout the match simply by being a backboard, keeping the majority of Djokovic's shots in play with his impressive court speed and letting the 19-year-old make the mistakes (Djokovic committed 46 unforced errors). Although Djokovic had a big serve to match Hewitt's, the Aussie had the bigger return game.

Djokovic gave it his all to stay in the match and force another game at 5-2, but Hewitt fought his way out of a 0-40 game on Djokovic's serve, then came back at deuce to break the Serbian and easily close out the match."

Rd 2 defeated Jan Hernych 6-4 6-2 6-2

Rd 1 defeated Albert Montanes 7-5 6-4 6-3
In a first round match that took place over the course of two days, No. 15 Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) defeated Albert Montanes (ESP) in straight sets; 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.

Tuesday, Day 2 of the US Open, was characterized by rain, rain and more rain. Slambonis replaced players on the courts and by early evening, all matches had been cancelled. During a brief rain-free period, however, Hewitt and Montanes took the court in Louis Armstrong Stadium and attempted to get the match underway at 2:45pm, almost three hours after the scheduled start time. A slow clap from the eager crowd accompanied the men out onto the court, elevating the atmosphere and giving the first round match a tone more familiar to that of a US Open finale. Hewitt smiled as he glanced upwards towards the upper level of the stadium where a group of rambunctious supporters chanted "Aussie, Aussie Aussie! Oy, Oy Oy!"
Hewitt came out strong and in the opening games of the first set his combination of cross-court forehands and line-drive backhands had Montanes darting corner to corner. Montanes looked agile and his confidence seemed to rise as Hewitt struggled with his first serve, double faulting multiple times. After only 9 minutes of match time and with Montanes leading the first set 2-1, play was halted for a rain delay and soon after, suspended.

In a hopeful attempt to continue the match, Hewitt and Montanes again took the court during another dry period and again, the crowd roared for Hewitt. By attacking the net and sending long drives to the baseline, Hewitt seemed to be thinking more about his game and trying to wear Montanes out. Endurance certainly wasn't Montanes weak point, however, and play continued with long rallies, multiple deuces, aggressive forehands and alternating points. Later in the first set, Montanes joined Hewitt in first-serve difficulty and on a few questionable calls, Hewitt fans roared for a line-challenge. Hewitt declined.

Thirty-five minutes into the match and five games apiece with Hewitt serving, screeching sneakers echoed in the stadium. In the eleventh game, Hewitt, fresh off a right knee injury, ran backwards and miraculously hit a cross-court winner as he was hitting the ground, bringing the score to 40-0. Both Montanes and Hewitt questioned the chair umpire as to whether the conditions were feasible for play and after checking out the court herself she nodded for the men to continue. Unhappy with her decision, and perhaps concerned with sliding to a knee injury relapse, Hewitt, somewhat defiantly, sat down in his chair. Moments later, play was suspended as heavy rain and angry and frustrated "boos" filled the stadium.

Wednesday, the third try was the charm as Hewitt and Montanes took the court again on an overcast but rain-free early afternoon. Picking right up where he left off, Hewitt quickly won the first point to finish Tuesday’s eleventh game, leaving the first set 6-5. He continued on to win the set 7-5.

The second set replicated the first; long rallies in which the speed of Hewitt’s forehand kept Montanes on his toes. Yet Hewitt’s serve continued to suffer. He double faulted five times to Montanes’ three and Hewitt’s frustration was voiced with angry yells. Confidence resurfaced, however, as Hewitt served eight aces to Montanes’ four. Hewitt also had 38 winners (including service winners) to Montanes’ 26.

Montanes certainly put forth a valiant effort and gave the Aussie quite a workout; Montanes repeatedly hit short balls, forcing Hewitt to expend all of his energy charging the net so as to not have enough to sprint back for the long baseline drive that Montanes followed up with.

"For [Montanes] to get 5-2 yesterday, I thought he was playing well," Hewitt said. "His backhand was a lot better than I've seen it in the past. You know, it was a matter of trying to hang in there, 'cause at 2-All I had 15-40 and ended up having three breakpoints and wasn't able to take them. I knew I was gonna get my opportunities, but it was nice to get out of that set and at least be on an even keel going into today."

Just as in Tuesday’s start to the match, Hewitt’s talent at placing hard-hitting shots cross-court to the corner matched up against Montanes smart plays and desire for an upset resulted in long rallies and multiple deuces. And just like Tuesday, Hewitt prevailed.

The first-round match against Montanes was Hewitt’s first in more than two weeks. Due to a right knee injury, he retired in the second round at AMS Toronto and missed both AMS Cincinnati and New Haven; "I think it's wear and tear for the most part, but then the actual patella tendon had something wrong with it, as well, which is probably more so because I was playing with patella tendonitis," said Hewitt. "And the actual tendon's got a split in it."

Though Hewitt questions how his knee will feel Thursday following Wednesday's aggressive play, his injury certainly doesn't seem to be slowing him down. "I've already done some treatment and I'll do some more this afternoon. The knee's not a hundred percent, no.... but at this stage I'm trying to focus on getting through the first week and the next couple of matches. I'll be getting better and better with my rhythm and timing and confidence. And you know, hopefully that can put me in a good position to maybe have another run at it."

While it was questionable if he would even be strong enough to play in the Open, his performance against Montanes over the two-day match demonstrates why this is his eighth straight US Open appearance and why Hewitt has reached the last eight or better in six of his seven previous appearances. The lone exception was a third round elimination in his debut Open in 1999.

Perhaps more impressively, Hewitt’s resume boasts a 2001 US Open victory at age 20 against Pete Sampras, listing him as the second-youngest US Open champion – just behind Sampras - in the Open Era.

In 2006 Grand Slam play, Hewitt has consecutively advanced farther along in each event reaching the second round, the round of 16 and the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, respectively.

"It's great playing any Grand Slam," said Hewitt. "The US Open, that's where it started on a Grand Slam level for me, winning the doubles here in 2000 and then obviously the singles the next year." He continued, "I'm not sure why, but I love the atmosphere here. You know, especially when you play big matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium. It's the biggest tennis stadium we ever get to play in front of. It's a pretty awesome thing to be out there, you know, only two guys out there in front of 25,000 people."

Before looking too far ahead, Hewitt, however, will first advance to the second round where he will face Jan Hernych (CZE) who defeated Kevin Kim (USA) 6-1, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. This will be the fourth time this year that Hewitt and Hernych square-off.

"He's an underrated player," noted Hewitt. "He's very tough from the back of the court. He moves sideways extremely well on the baseline. He's got a deceptive first serve. So, if I can step it up another notch, that is going to help me out."

press conference 26 August