Roger Federer rolled over Lleyton Hewitt 6–2, 6–3, 6–4 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open tennis tournament. The win extended Federer’s winning streak over Hewitt to fifteen straight matches.
When asked after the match how he could beat Hewitt so many times, Federer replied, “What really turned it around are my athletic and my mental strengths.
“I always used to lose against him because I wasn’t fit enough and because I wasn’t mentally tough enough. I think it is because of Lleyton that I am the player that I am today.
“He has definitely been an inspiration even those he has got one of those games I really don’t like to play against, especially guys who run quick at the baseline, don’t miss much, and always find my backhand.
“I have improved in many areas and that is why I think it is hard for him today.”
When asked after the match how he could beat Hewitt so many times, Federer replied, “What really turned it around are my athletic and my mental strengths.
“I always used to lose against him because I wasn’t fit enough and because I wasn’t mentally tough enough. I think it is because of Lleyton that I am the player that I am today.
“He has definitely been an inspiration even those he has got one of those games I really don’t like to play against, especially guys who run quick at the baseline, don’t miss much, and always find my backhand.
“I have improved in many areas and that is why I think it is hard for him today.”
Hewitt, the last Australian player in the tournament, came out aggressive, not intimidated by Federer, but after a few games Federer warmed up and got rolling. Federer broke Hewitt halfway through the first set and went on to take the set. Federer controlled the points with pace and placement; Hewitt had to work hard on every point, while Federer looked relaxed.
Federer looked like the world’s number-one-ranked player playing the twenty-second ranked player. Federer never hit the same shot twice in a row; he varied, pace, placement, and spin on every shot. Federer played every aspect of the game of tennis just a little bit better than Hewitt was able.
Federer looked like the world’s number-one-ranked player playing the twenty-second ranked player. Federer never hit the same shot twice in a row; he varied, pace, placement, and spin on every shot. Federer played every aspect of the game of tennis just a little bit better than Hewitt was able.
Not that Hewitt played badly, by any means. Hewitt won most of his service games, and played fearlessly, trying to challenge Federer at the net. Despite Federer winning most points, the quality of the tennis played was excellent.
Hewitt played an excellent fourth game in the second set, fighting off a service break. The pair went back and forth at deuce several times. In the end, Hewitt hit a strong serve, and Federer hit a better return and took the game. He went on to win the set 6–3.
Hewitt played an excellent fourth game in the second set, fighting off a service break. The pair went back and forth at deuce several times. In the end, Hewitt hit a strong serve, and Federer hit a better return and took the game. He went on to win the set 6–3.
Federer did not play flawless tennis. He lost a few easy points on unforced errors, seeming to lose concentration, particularly on the last point of a game; he’d run it up to 40–love, then let Hewitt get a few points on unforced errors.
Hewitt’s game improved in the third set, as he either stopped worrying about losing or he decided he might be able to win.
Hewitt played an excellent point in the second game of the final set, beating Roger at the net. Federer then hit an amazing backhand winner down the line on the next point, putting the game away.
Hewitt fought off yet another service break in the fifth game; Federer gave up three break points to unforced errors. Then Federer broke Hewitt in the seventh game of the set.
Hewitt responded in the eighth game by breaking back. Federer then returned the favor in the next game. Hewitt pushed Federer to deuce in the tenth game, but Federer served up a pair of aces to take the match 6–4.
In the end, Federer played well enough. But one wonders if he might have tried a bit harder?
Federer’s next match will be against sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko. Regarding Davydenko, Federer said, “I have had a wonderful run against him as well, I think it was 12 in a row, until London the r World Tour Finals, a couple of months ago. I lost for the first time, and then he got me again in Doha, in Qatar just a couple of weeks ago.
“So now he’s on a tweo-match winning streak, I hope I can turn it around It’s not going to be an easy match, he’s playing terrifically so I definitely have to bring my best game.”
Hewitt played an excellent point in the second game of the final set, beating Roger at the net. Federer then hit an amazing backhand winner down the line on the next point, putting the game away.
Hewitt fought off yet another service break in the fifth game; Federer gave up three break points to unforced errors. Then Federer broke Hewitt in the seventh game of the set.
Hewitt responded in the eighth game by breaking back. Federer then returned the favor in the next game. Hewitt pushed Federer to deuce in the tenth game, but Federer served up a pair of aces to take the match 6–4.
In the end, Federer played well enough. But one wonders if he might have tried a bit harder?
Federer’s next match will be against sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko. Regarding Davydenko, Federer said, “I have had a wonderful run against him as well, I think it was 12 in a row, until London the r World Tour Finals, a couple of months ago. I lost for the first time, and then he got me again in Doha, in Qatar just a couple of weeks ago.
“So now he’s on a tweo-match winning streak, I hope I can turn it around It’s not going to be an easy match, he’s playing terrifically so I definitely have to bring my best game.”