Aussie Lleyton Hewitt will need to play his best tennis if he is to upset world no.5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round of Wimbledon. Join us for live scores and commentary from 11:00pm AEST.
Since making the fourth round of the 2012 Australian Open, Hewitt has only played four matches in the lead-up to the Wimbledon championships after undergoing surgery to have a plate inserted in his toe.
His recent defeats came in the opening rounds of the French Open and the Queen’s Club Championships, losing to Blaz Kavcic and Ivo Karlovic respectively.
Despite his lack of match play, Hewitt is still one of the most dangerous unseeded players in the men’s draw at Wimbledon and has the potential to cause Tsonga problems tonight.
Unlike Hewitt, Tsonga comes into Wimbledon on the back of a strong showing at the French Open, where he made the quarter-finals before succumbing to Novak Djokovic in an epic five setter.
Tsonga also made the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year, becoming the first man to defeat Roger Federer at Grand Slam level from two sets to love down.
Such a result speaks volumes of Tsonga’s ability on grass, but it will be interesting to see how the Frenchman handles playing against a seasoned professional such as Hewitt in the opening round of a Grand Slam.
Prediction
This promises to be an interesting encounter between two players with vastly different styles of play.
Tsonga’s game is all about power, with the Frenchman possessing a lethal serve and forehand combination that can penetrate the defence of any player on the ATP tour.
Hewitt meanwhile relies heavily on his ability to play extended rallies. At his best, Hewitt is one of the best counterpunchers on the ATP tour and will look to frustrate Tsonga into error by getting every ball back into play.
Despite his high ranking, there are still question marks hanging around Tsonga’s mental strength, particularly during the early rounds of a grand slam.
If Hewitt can return serve well and keep the ball in play, Tsonga is very capable of losing his way very quickly by playing high risk shots that will lead to plenty of unforced errors from his racquet.
Tsonga has already been guilty of losing his way at a Grand Slam this season, losing to Kei Nishikori at the Australian Open this year due to his inability to play intelligent tennis when the opponent was returning well.
Despite the gap in the rankings between Tsonga and Hewitt, this promises to be one of the most evenly contested first round match-ups at Wimbledon this week.
Given the recent surgery on his toe, it will be interesting to see how well Hewitt is able to move if this match ends up going the distance.
While there is no doubt that Hewitt will cause Tsonga problems tonight, the Australian’s lack of match play could once again work against him here in a tight contest.
Tsonga to win in 5 sets
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga was at his best today and showed why he is such a dangerous player on grass. Hewitt had ten break points overall in the match, but Tsonga served so well today, hitting over 20 aces. Tsonga was strong all over the park, hitting forehand winners at will and his play at the net was also very solid. Tsonga needed to be at his best to defeat Hewitt today and he did very well to answer the challenge and maintain his high level and composure when it mattered the most. Hewitt was valiant in defeat but he doesn't have the power and skill to challenge the top players when they are playing this well. Will Hewitt return to Wimbledon next year? Can Tsonga go all the way? Thanks for joining us for this live Wimbledon blog and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar. GAME SET AND MATCH TSONGA: Tsonga 6 6 6 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH TSONGA - Hewitt nets a backhand and Tsonga wins in straight sets here. What a dominant performance from the Frenchman. Too good. Too strong. Tsonga 6 6 6 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Three match points for Tsonga now as he produces a nice volley that hits the net and falls over. Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga with another cracking serve and forehand combination and its 30-0 Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga with a serve and smash combination and its 15-0 Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Well its all come down to this. Tsonga has been dominant today but can Hewitt just produce one final effort to break back and send this match into a fourth set? Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Great backhand winner from Hewitt and he holds and he will make Tsonga serve for the match... Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Game point Hewitt as Tsonga nets a forehand return. Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga is turning bully now as he bullies Hewitt off the court with another forehand. 15-30 Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga at his best as he retrieves a shot that hit the net and pushes it over. Terrific speed. 0-15 Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga holds easily yet again as Hewitt goes wide with the forehand return. Hewitt must hold now to stay in the match Tsonga 6 6 5 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga with another ace and he is well on his way to victory here. Game point Tsonga 6 6 4 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt nets another forehand and its 30-0 Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 4 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga on song with a nice volley at the net and its 15-0 Tsonga 6 6 4 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
I have to say that Hewitt hasn't played badly today, but Tsonga is on another level and has surprised me with his ability to maintain such a high level today. Tsonga has served very well and his forehand is truly on song. Hewitt just doesn't have the weapons to compete at the moment. Tsonga 6 6 4 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK TSONGA - Tsonga with a terrific backhand passing shot down the line and he is in total control now. Tsonga leads 4-3 third set. Tsonga 6 6 4 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Tsonga nets a forehand and its 15-40 Tsonga. Hewitt though still has to save two break points Tsonga 6 6 3 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Double fault yet again from Hewitt and Tsonga now has three break points... Tsonga 6 6 3 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt slices wide with the backhand and its 0-30 Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 3 Hewitt 3 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Bad double fault from Hewitt and its 0-15 Tsonga Tsonga 6 6 3 Hewitt 3 4 3