scoreline: Becker 2-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
Becker with an ace and he completes a superb comeback to defeat Hewitt in five sets here. It was all Hewitt in the opening two sets and the third round was well within reach. Becker though never gave up and his forehand and serve eventually fired to help him secure an epic win. Hewitt loses for the first time at the Aus Open from two sets to love up. This will be hard to take for the two time grand slam champion.
Lleyton Hewitt starts a slight favourite against Germany’s Benjamin Becker but a tight contest should be expected as both players vie for a third-round Australian Open berth. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from around 7:00pm AEDT.
After a very shaky start on serve against Ze Zhang, Hewitt eventually calmed his nerves and played solid tennis en route to a four-set win over the promising Chinese player.
There are several concerns though that Hewitt needs to address if he hopes to get past the big-serving Becker.
The biggest is undoubtedly the serve. The two-time Grand Slam champion struggled severely with his ball toss throughout the match against Zhang, particularly in his first service game of the match.
At times Hewitt was just spinning the first serve in and he can ill afford to do that against Becker. The German is a more solid player than Zhang and he will punish any weak serving.
Hewitt’s other concern is the fact that he has a major power deficit against most players on the ATP tour. When Zhang hit form in the second set, Hewitt was practically powerless to stop the Chinese player from levelling the match at a set apiece.
Indeed the primary reason Hewitt was able to outlast Zhang surrounded the Chinese player’s very high unforced error count. Given Becker’s experience on the tour, you don’t expect the German to produce such numbers.
Hewitt however remains a workhorse on tour and will give everything he has in front of another vocal home crowd. Becker has the bigger forehand and serve though and it should win him a couple of sets.
Hewitt’s experience and ability to stay in rallies for the long haul however may just prove enough to outlast the German in a five-set epic.
Hewitt in five sets.
kevin dustby
Guest
now i only have to switch between the soccer and cricket
Alan
Roar Guru
Becker with an ace and he completes a superb comeback to defeat Hewitt in five sets here. It was all Hewitt in the opening two sets and the third round was well within reach. Becker though never gave up and his forehand and serve eventually fired to help him secure an epic win. Hewitt loses for the first time at the Aus Open from two sets to love up. This will be hard to take for the two time grand slam champion. Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH BECKER Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 6
Alan
Roar Guru
15-40 now...delaying the inevitable surely Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Becker with three match points. What a win for the German coming up! Two sets down against Hewitt Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt nets the backhand for 30-0. Becker well on top Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Becker with an ace for 15-0 Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
A massive turnaround here. Hewitt was playing superb tennis in the opening two sets and was well in control. He was bossing the game. Becker turned things around superbly and credit to the German. He has kept his nerve and is now serving for the match. Hewitt looked a little despondent there. Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt with another unforced error here! Becker has broken and he will now serve for the match! BREAK BECKER Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 5
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt with the backhand that's long. Unforced error from Hewitt. Another break point Becker Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Becker slips at the worst possible time and its deuce. Three break points gone Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Great serve down the tee from Hewitt for 30-40 Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
15-40 but Becker with two break points. Effectively match points really Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Three break points for Becker as he nets the forehand. Becker with a huge chance to break...again... Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
0-30 as Hewitt nets the forehand and Becker now with a chance to seal the deal perhaps... Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt's Aus Open in real danger now. Becker just two games away from knocking the legendary Australian out. Becker with the forehand winner for 0-15 Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Clutch ace down the tee from Becker. 40-30. Becker superb under pressure with the forehand winner there. 0-30 down, he tightens his game and secures the game. Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Hewitt's forehand return just wide! 30-30 Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Great wide serve from Becker. 15-30 Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Becker long with the backhand down the line and its 0-30 Hewitt. Another chance Hewitt 6 6 3 4 2 Becker 2 1 6 6 3