Federer’s shotmaking humbles gun-shy Hewitt
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 26 Jan 2010 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Australian Open, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, Tennis
Lleyton Hewitt’s decision to receive, after winning the toss against Roger Federer, was just one of many ill advised choices that led to the Australian’s fourth round exit against the Swiss maestro.
It took approximately ninety minutes for Hewitt to realise what an advantage serving first can be, even against players of Federer’s calibre.
Despite losing the first two sets comprehensively, the two time Grand Slam winner produced a respectable showing in the third, putting Federer under pressure late on in a bid to keep his faltering Australian Open campaign alive.
Although Federer’s championship qualities eventually shone through in the end, the fact that Hewitt served first in the third set proved crucial in allowing the former Wimbledon champion to compete with the world no.1 for the majority of the set.
Indeed, Hewitt’s performance in the third set was all the good he could take out of a match which had Federer’s class written all over it.
After a solid opening from both players, it was Federer who began dictating terms against an opponent simply content with counterpunching a forehand that is still the most lethal on the ATP tour.
Whilst Hewitt’s defensive mentality at the baseline will frustrate the majority of players on tour, he should have known by now that Federer was not one of them.
In his early round performances against Brazilian Ricardo Hocevar and American Donald Young, Hewitt was merely content with letting the inexperience of his opponents get the better of them.
Unfortunately for the 28 year old, Federer’s marvellous array of shot making allowed Hewitt to realise his game plan would not pay dividends this time round.
The former US Open champion could only look on at times and marvel at the 49 winners that went past his racquet during the opening two sets.
Hewitt’s highlights however were few and far in between, registering only 18 winners.
And on the occasions Hewitt was able to produce a quality point, it seemed too little too late against a Fed express which continued to roll.
On a night when Hewitt needed to be the more offensive player, it was Federer who continually asked the questions, even after he was broken late in the third set.
In a critical turning point in the match, Hewitt managed to spark the crowd to life after breaking Federer’s serve at 5-3.
Despite giving the break back, a forehand winner late on Hewitt’s service game provided Federer with a new opportunity to serve for a place in the quarter-final.
Although the 15 time Grand Slam champion struggled to serve the match out, Federer’s shot making shone through when it mattered, eventually sealing the deal against a competitive yet forlorn Hewitt.
If Hewitt were to take any positives out of his fifteenth consecutive loss to Federer, it would be the fact that the world no.1 would have beaten the majority of his opponents playing like the way he did against the Australian.
But then again, Federer usually does.
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The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
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Kento said | January 26th 2010 @ 7:14am | Report comment
While you’re probably right re: some poor decisions, the reality is Fed is just a better player. By a long way too. So at the end of the day, sport is played to see who’s the better player. Federer is; he won. And it was enjoyable to watch someone clearly so proficient in their sport.
vinay verma said | January 26th 2010 @ 7:23am | Report comment
Alan, I doubt Hewitt could have done anymore. He was outclassed. Hewitt’s game is full of fight and never say die. But his game has not moved on from his last Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2002. Federer has taken his own game to another level and had at least another two gears left in last night’s encounter. On this form Hewitt can be a top 20 player but may not be capable of winning another slam. The telling feature for me was Federer’s ability to run around his backhand and unleash his forehand. I think Federer relaxed a little in the third set and may even have felt sorry for his friend. But this was fleeting and he soon closed it out. Federer is in a different galaxy. Only ill luck will stop him winning his 16th.
Ora said | January 26th 2010 @ 7:27am | Report comment
Fedderer is sublime,
Compete with Federer that is stretching the truth a little, the Fed ex stepped off the pedal once he knew he had the game safely in the bag. why would you exert more energy than you have to knowing that you have a QF and possibly / most likely a Semi and a final to contend
Hewitt was never in this match and never was he going to be, I watched the match and Fed was just toying with him.
Leyton may want to look at coaching becasue after last nights game I find it hard to believe that he will ever challenge for a top ten spot let alone a top 5 again.
Alan Nicolea said | January 26th 2010 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Ora, Viney and Kento
I totally agree that Federer was the much better player. He really is an artist on the court who seemingly creates thousands of masterpieces at will. Hewitt tried his best but he really doesn’t have a weapon that can trouble the top ten players let alone Fed. That is why i found it startling that he chose to recieve. Playing against Federer, you should take any advantage you are given. Indeed when Hewitt got the chance to serve first in the third, there was a hint of nerves from federer and Hewitt even broke the great man’s serve and probably should have broken it again late on when he had two break points at 5-4. All in all, a terrific performance from Federer but Davydenko should give him a good match. As for Hewitt, it seems Wimbledon will be his best chance to leave his mark in 2010.
moo cow said | January 26th 2010 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
I think one of the commentators pointed out that Hewitt had at one point in their careers more wins against Federer but it seems after the last six or so years Hewitt has stagnated. Though to be honest his game probably has improved but Federer just found some unbelievable new sense of self that got him to win a major in 2003 and three the year after that.
Ora said | January 26th 2010 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Federer has won the last 15 matches straight against Hewitt,
Hewitt doesn’t even come close to Federer and its very obvious he hasn’t for a long time
Who Needs Melon said | January 26th 2010 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
I actually think Hewitt played pretty well in the match – he’s actually probably playing as well as he ever has. Problem is that that’s still not a patch on Federer. Although Hewitt is managing not to drop too much in form and perhaps improve slightly in some areas, it’s just not enough and I feel for him. He seems to have to hope that Federer has an absolute shocker or injury mid-match these days.
Whiteline said | January 26th 2010 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
Federer was unrushed and always in the ‘right’ position. He is a complete player and continues to amaze.
Tom said | January 27th 2010 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
I find Federer’s excessive humility somewhat grating. His claim that he was unhappy that he had a likely match up with Hewitt was over the top – surely he isn’t intimidated by someone who hasn’t beaten him in 7 years?