Lleyton Hewitt faces rising star Milos Raonic for a place in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Join us for live scores and blog later this evening.
Along with Bernard Tomic, Canadian Milos Raonic is recognised as the ATP’s finest young talent at present, experiencing a breakout 2011 season.
The big serving Canadian made the fourth round in his first appearance at the Australian Open last year, and also went on to win his maiden ATP World Tour title at the San Jose Open.
Raonic also made the final of the Regions Morgan Keegan Tennis Championships in Memphis, where he lost to Andy Roddick in a tight three setter.
The 21 year old has also begun 2012 on a bright note, winning the Aircel Chennai Open, beating Janko Tipsarevic in the final.
Hewitt meanwhile is starting to regain the fitness and form that still makes him one of the more competitive players on the ATP tour.
In his second round match against Roddick, Hewitt managed to return serve very well, which in turn allowed him to dominate the match before the American retired hurt.
Prediction:
As was the case against Roddick, Hewitt still ranks as one of the better returners on the ATP tour, so expect the Australian to once again rely on his terrific counter-punching tactics to frustrate Raonic.
Such a tactic however may not be enough to unsettle the Canadian.
Despite possessing a serve that can generate speeds well over 200km/h, Raonic can also hit strong winners from the baseline, particularly off his forehand side.
At his best, Raonic is a carbon copy of Juan Martin del Potro thanks to the Canadian’s ability to produce deep, flat groundstrokes that can penetrate the best defensive players on the ATP tour.
With this in mind, Hewitt must go on the offensive a lot more than usual if he is to keep the big serving Canadian at bay.
Overall, Raonic certainly possesses the bigger weapons here. While it is a given that Hewitt will toil hard, one feels that the Canadian will simply have too much firepower for the Australian to handle.
Raonic to win in four sets.
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUaMzsNKR7Q&fb_source=message Not today Milos, not today. C'moooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!
Alan
Roar Guru
Even though he lost the first set, Hewitt has played at a very high level here and he looks close to his best. Raonic got really tight in the key moments despite the fact that he was playing very well in the first set. The Canadian still has a lot to learn about performing your best when it counts. Hewitt is still the outsider against Djokovic but the Australian is playing at a good enough level to challenge the Serb in the fourth round. Final score. Raonic 6 3 6 3 Hewitt 4 6 7 6 Thanks for joining us for another epic match and we look forward to your company again on The Roar
Patrick
Guest
Thanks Alan for the running commentary. That last game seemed tense. The statistics reveal an interesting result. Raonic had many more aces and winners than Hewitt but also had many more unenforced errors than the latter. It probably helped Hewitt that Raonic plays like an early Roddick - strong serve, good forehand but needs work on the backhand.
RaRa
Guest
Just would like to say THANK YOU for your dedication of updating scores on the match!
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH HEWITT - Hewitt secures his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open with his best performance in a long time here against Raonic. Raonic tried to return a Hewitt lob but it was all in vein as he hit the net with the forehand. Hewitt wins the match: Raonic 6 3 6 3 Hewitt 4 6 7 6
Alan
Roar Guru
Raonic saves another set point with a crushing forehand winner
Alan
Roar Guru
Raonic saves a match point with a great volley at the net. Now its match point again for Hewitt
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt hits the net yet again and its another Break point for Raonic. An ace though saves the Australian and its deuce
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt hits a slice shot into the net and its break point Raonic. Its back to deuce though
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt hits a backhand shot into the net for 15-30. Raonic though with an unforced forehand error and its 30-30
Alan
Roar Guru
15-15 Raonic 6 3 6 3 Hewitt 4 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Nice crosscourt forehand winner from Hewitt and its 40-30. Raonic though holds with an ace. Raonic 6 3 6 3 Hewitt 4 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Nice forehand hitting from Raonic and its 30-15 Raonic 6 3 6 2 Hewitt 4 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Nice Raonic serve and forehand combination and its 15-0
Alan
Roar Guru
40-15 Hewitt as Raonic sends another forehand long. He then holds thanks to an unforced forehand error from Raonic. Raonic 6 3 6 2 Hewitt 4 6 7 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Raonic with a great passing backhand shot down the line. Hewitt then produces a strong forehand and its 15-15 Raonic 6 3 6 2 Hewitt 4 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Raonic with a couple of aces here and he holds easily Raonic 6 3 6 2 Hewitt 4 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Raonic with an ace and its 15-0 Raonic 6 3 6 1 Hewitt 4 6 7 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Another unforced forehand error from Raonic and its 40-30 Hewitt. The Australian the holds with an ace. Raonic 6 3 6 1 Hewitt 4 6 7 4
Alex
Guest
Hewitts just sitting back and waiting for the mistake. Honestly neither are playing well but Hewitt has the mental edge.