Hewitt's win no fluke
June 26th 2009 10:36
THERE have been a host of upsets at this year’s Wimbledon, but don’t count Lleyton Hewitt’s triumph over Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro as one of them.
Hewitt is an accomplished grasscourter and has made at least the fourth round each year at the All England Club since a shock first-round loss to Croat Ivo Karlovic in 2003.
The feisty Australian won the Wimbledon crown in 2002 and has also claimed the Queen’s Club title four times – a feat only American Andy Roddick can match.
Hewitt is not the same player that reached the world No.1 ranking and never will be, but the grass has always been a happy hunting ground for him.
Del Potro – who moved into injured world No.1 Rafael Nadal’s place in the draw – is the opposite.
The 20-year-old giant has surged to world No.5 and is fresh from quarter-final and semi-final finishes at the Australian Open and French Open respectively.
But grass has yet to provide Del Potro with a pleasant experience.
His straight sets humbling to Hewitt ensured his three Wimbledon appearances all ended in the second round.
Del Potro was a heavy favourite entering the clash despite the two never meeting and his poor performances on this surface.
Hewitt continually exposed Del Potro’s forehand and made sure not to enter into too many elongated rallies with his younger opponent.
The final result was possibly more one-sided than even Hewitt’s most gung-ho fans would have predicted, but history shows that Del Potro is still susceptible to mental fragility.
You only have to go back to his Australian Open caning at the hands of Roger Federer to believe that.
Hewitt will have little trouble with German Philipp Petzschner before facing the winner of David Ferrer and Radek Stepanek.
Neither of the latter two should provide too much worry on grass either.
But Hewitt’s likely quarter-final opponent Roddick will be an extremely difficult proposition.
Roddick has won their two grasscourt contests – both at Queen’s – but they are always tight tussles.
He required two tie-breaker sets to squeeze past Hewitt at this year’s Queen’s.
Roddick hasn’t been playing as well as Hewitt in the opening two rounds at Wimbledon, but will be ready if he meets his great rival.
There aren’t going to be many more chances like this for Hewitt and Australia’s tennis faithful will be waiting with baited breath to see if he can take it.
Even if Roger Federer is too big of a mountain to climb.
Hewitt is an accomplished grasscourter and has made at least the fourth round each year at the All England Club since a shock first-round loss to Croat Ivo Karlovic in 2003.
The feisty Australian won the Wimbledon crown in 2002 and has also claimed the Queen’s Club title four times – a feat only American Andy Roddick can match.
Hewitt is not the same player that reached the world No.1 ranking and never will be, but the grass has always been a happy hunting ground for him.
Del Potro – who moved into injured world No.1 Rafael Nadal’s place in the draw – is the opposite.
The 20-year-old giant has surged to world No.5 and is fresh from quarter-final and semi-final finishes at the Australian Open and French Open respectively.
But grass has yet to provide Del Potro with a pleasant experience.
His straight sets humbling to Hewitt ensured his three Wimbledon appearances all ended in the second round.
Del Potro was a heavy favourite entering the clash despite the two never meeting and his poor performances on this surface.
Hewitt continually exposed Del Potro’s forehand and made sure not to enter into too many elongated rallies with his younger opponent.
The final result was possibly more one-sided than even Hewitt’s most gung-ho fans would have predicted, but history shows that Del Potro is still susceptible to mental fragility.
You only have to go back to his Australian Open caning at the hands of Roger Federer to believe that.
Hewitt will have little trouble with German Philipp Petzschner before facing the winner of David Ferrer and Radek Stepanek.
Neither of the latter two should provide too much worry on grass either.
But Hewitt’s likely quarter-final opponent Roddick will be an extremely difficult proposition.
Roddick has won their two grasscourt contests – both at Queen’s – but they are always tight tussles.
He required two tie-breaker sets to squeeze past Hewitt at this year’s Queen’s.
Roddick hasn’t been playing as well as Hewitt in the opening two rounds at Wimbledon, but will be ready if he meets his great rival.
There aren’t going to be many more chances like this for Hewitt and Australia’s tennis faithful will be waiting with baited breath to see if he can take it.
Even if Roger Federer is too big of a mountain to climb.
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