In what is the most anticipated match of this year’s Australian Open so far, tonight Aussie Lleyton Hewitt will face off against the tournament’s number one seed, Roger Federer. Be sure to join The Roar’s live blog from 7:30 (AEDT) as the match unfolds.
Hewitt will go into the encounter as the underdog, but his straight-sets victories in the first and second rounds indicate that he has form. Plus, after his third-round clash with Marcos Baghdatis was shortened due to Baghdatis retiring, he’ll be rested as well.
Federer, meanwhile, has put in strong showings in his last two matches, convincingly beating Victor Hanescu and Albert Montanes.
As the last remaining Australian on the men’s side of the draw, Lleyton Hewitt will have the support of the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
But overcoming Federer is by no means an easy task.
Marshall
Guest
Federer in another league. Time Hewitt accepted his best days are over.
BigAl
Guest
Game over ! - years ago
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Dominant display from Federer. 6-2 6-3 6-4.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
6-2 6-3 to Federer. Not looking good for Hewitt at all.
jake
Roar Rookie
Hewit will get annihilated!! He looks frustrated as!
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Yep, Federer's come out of the blocks. Doesn't normally lose once he wins the first set, too.
Kento
Guest
First break and the writing is on the wall...
Kento
Guest
Fed is looking hot; this could be a short evening out for Lleyton.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Looking forward to this one. Federer looked a bit shaky in his first round match, whereas Hewitt (unusually) is the only one of the two yet to drop a set. Of course an upset is unlikely, but if ever it were going to happen, I'd say this would be it.