Lleyton Hewitt vs Andy Roddick: Australian Open live scores, blog

 
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By alan nicolea, 19 Jan 2012 The Crowd is a Roar Guru

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    An epic rivalry resumes on Rod Laver Arena tonight as Lleyton Hewitt takes on Andy Roddick for a place in the third round of the Australian Open of tennis. Join us for live scores and blog tonight – after Jelena Dokic’s match with Marion Bartoli.

    Both Hewitt and Roddick are no strangers when it comes to playing on the big stage. Between them, they have won 58 ATP titles and are both Grand Slam champions.

    Playing on centre court in his home Grand Slam, the stage is set for Hewitt to produce another performance worthy of his mantle as one of the greats of Australian tennis.

    The 30 year old however will need to produce his best form if he is to upset Roddick.

    The American has won his last six matches against Hewitt, so the Australian will have to start well if he is to unsettle an opponent that has had the better of him for a while now.

    As is common knowledge, Roddick’s success is largely attributed to his terrific serve. He produced 13 aces in his straight sets victory over talented Dutch player Robin Haase, and looked well in control of his service games.

    Hewitt meanwhile was forced to dig deep against German qualifier Cedrick-Marcel Stebe.

    After winning the first two sets, the Australian lost his form in the third set and looked set to concede the fourth, before coming back and prevailing 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7 in just under four hours.

    Prediction:

    This match could very well go the distance. Although Roddick possesses the bigger serve, both players play a similar style of tennis, preferring to keep the ball in play as they wait for unforced errors.

    Roddick however does possess more potential to hit clean winners, hitting 35 against Haase, while only committing 20 unforced errors.

    Hewitt meanwhile hit 29 winners against Stebe but also produced 33 unforced errors.

    Overall, if Hewitt can return well, then this match could go to five sets. Roddick’s present form however may just get him over the line against the Australian, who is still regaining match fitness after a horror 2011 riddled with injury

    Roddick to win in five sets.