Lleyton Hewitt will look to continue his positive preparation for the Australian Open when he plays world no.6 Tomas Berdych at the Kooyong Classic this afternoon. Join us for live scores and commentary from 1:00pm AEDT.
Hewitt got his Kooyong campaign off to a flying start yesterday, beating the big serving Canadian Milos Raonic in three sets.
Despite the ten year age difference, Hewitt went toe to toe with Raonic and demonstrated why he remains one of the finest returners of serve on the ATP tour.
The Australian will need to return well again today if he is to upset Australian Open contender Berdych.
Berdych had a solid year in 2012, knocking out Roger Federer en route to a maiden US Open semi-final appearance to go along with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open.
The former Wimbledon finalist however has experienced a lean start to 2013 after suffering an early exit at the Chennai Open, losing to unheralded Spaniard R. Bautista-Agut.
Prediction
Berdych is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball on the ATP tour, capable of generating consistent power from both the forehand and backhand side.
His serve is also a potent weapon, capable of generating speeds of over 200km/h.
At his best, Berdych should be expected to overpower Hewitt given the high range of quality shots the Czech has at his disposal.
After his poor performance in Chennai however, Berdych is no certainity to get the better of Hewitt this afternoon.
Hewitt loves playing in front of his home crowd and invariably rises to the occasion against any player.
If Hewitt manages to play extended rallies on a constant basis this afternoon, expect the Australian to eventually grind his way to a tough three-set win.
Hewitt in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt is in very strong form in the lead-up to the Aus Open, beating Raonic and Berdych. Its been great preperation for the Australian after a few injury riddled years and is looking good for a decent run at his home grand slam. Please join us later tonight as Tomic plays in the quarter-finals of the Apia International at 7:30pm AEDT. Thanks to all who followed. Hewitt 6 6 Berdych 3 2
boes
Roar Pro
Apart from the first 2 games it seems to have happened pretty quickly and easily for Hewitt...
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET MATCH HEWITT - Hewitt finishes the match off with an ace and he is in the final of Kooyong after disposing of Berdych in straight sets 6-3 6-2. The Australian looking in strong form here ahead of the Aus Open. Hewitt 6 6 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point for Hewitt now as Berdych goes long with the forehand. Hewitt 6 5 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with a strong forehand winner down the line and that's one of his best points of the match. 30-30. Hewitt 6 5 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
30-15 as Berdych goes wide with the forehand return yet again Hewitt 6 5 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
15-0 Hewitt as Berdych goes wide with the return Hewitt 6 5 Berdych 3 2
Jayden
Roar Rookie
Yep it'll be fantastic, shame Rafa won't be there though. And that forehand return was lovely btw.
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK HEWITT - Hewitt returning brilliantly at the moment as he punishes a Berdych first serve with a forehand crosscourt winner! Break point. Hewitt secures the break yet again as Berdych goes wide with the backhand and its all Hewitt as he serves for the match. Hewitt 6 5 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with an ace out wide at 200km and its 30-30 Hewitt 6 4 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Yeah we'll see at the Australian Open Jayden. Can't wait for the best fortnight on the Australian sporting calender! Hewitt with a great backhand return and its 15-30 Hewitt Hewitt 6 4 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt with a great wide serve followed by an easy forehand winner down the line and the Australian is all over Berdych at the moment. Hewitt with another strong serve and forehand combination and he holds to love. Hewitt 6 4 Berdych 3 2
Jayden
Roar Rookie
Yeah you could see that he dropped his at the same time Hewitt lifted his, the first two sets were horrendous though he couldn't hold his serve if I remember correctly. The only games he won were breaks. But still he's looking much better than last year, or it looks like it at any rate.
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt with another strong serve and backhand and its 30-0. Hewitt in control Hewitt 6 3 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
15-0 as Berdych goes well wide with the forehand. Clumsy effort Hewitt 6 3 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with an easy service game for the first time in the match as he holds with another ace. Hewitt 6 3 Berdych 3 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych with two strong serves and its 30-0 Hewitt 6 3 Berdych 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Yeah Jayden but Djokvoc was in full control against Hewitt in the opening two sets. He took him to school. Hewitt really wasn't in the third set until Djokovic dropped his level dramatically. I blogged that match last year and it was Djokovic that dropped his intensity big time out of nowhere and Hewitt pounced. Hewtt with an ace and he holds well to lead 3-1 second set. Hewitt 6 3 Berdych 3 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Berdych at his best there as he hits a backhand winner down the line. 15 all. Hewitt 6 2 Berdych 3 1
Jayden
Roar Rookie
Hell Djokovic had trouble putting him away last year as well. I thougt he was going to come back after the fourth set. As for the two of them, Lleytons feet are both finally fully operational I agree though, 5 sets Hewitt. Tomic has been known to give up when it gets tough, meanwhile Hewitt gets better th later the game goes. That could be a bit of bias though... TheAus open would be the best stage for such a game though!