Related News
Federer beats Hewitt to level tie
Source: Agencies |
September 17, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ROGER Federer toughed out a 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-3 victory over Australia's Lleyton Hewitt to level Switzerland's Davis Cup World playoff tie at 1-1 yesterday.
Federer had almost "won" teammate Stanislas Wawrinka's earlier rubber with hard-hitting Aussie teenager Bernard Tomic, who confessed to being a bag of nerves under his idol's stare.
Tomic quickly regained his composure in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead before Federer took care of Hewitt to restore parity.
"It's been a long trip for sure," said Federer, playing in Australia after squandering match points in the US Open semifinals against Novak Djokovic at the weekend.
"This was a different type of challenge playing Australia which has such a great Davis Cup tradition," added the 16-time grand slam champion, who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday.
"It's nice to see Lleyton, who's the same age, still playing as well."
Tomic told reporters: "In the first set I was (nervous)... Having Roger watch you is difficult.
"It's a bit difficult when you look up to your idol ... but it's a good thing I got the team off to a good start."
Hewitt will team up with Chris Guccione for today's key doubles against Federer and Wawrinka.
The winners of the tie will move into the World Cup next year.
In Tokyo, Kei Nishikori and Yuichi Sugita both won their singles matches to give Japan a 2-0 lead over India in a World Group playoff.
Nishikori beat Rohan Bopanna 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 after Sugita opened with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Somdev Devvarman.
Japan could return to the World Group for the first time in 27 years with a win in doubles today.
Federer had almost "won" teammate Stanislas Wawrinka's earlier rubber with hard-hitting Aussie teenager Bernard Tomic, who confessed to being a bag of nerves under his idol's stare.
Tomic quickly regained his composure in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead before Federer took care of Hewitt to restore parity.
"It's been a long trip for sure," said Federer, playing in Australia after squandering match points in the US Open semifinals against Novak Djokovic at the weekend.
"This was a different type of challenge playing Australia which has such a great Davis Cup tradition," added the 16-time grand slam champion, who arrived in Sydney on Wednesday.
"It's nice to see Lleyton, who's the same age, still playing as well."
Tomic told reporters: "In the first set I was (nervous)... Having Roger watch you is difficult.
"It's a bit difficult when you look up to your idol ... but it's a good thing I got the team off to a good start."
Hewitt will team up with Chris Guccione for today's key doubles against Federer and Wawrinka.
The winners of the tie will move into the World Cup next year.
In Tokyo, Kei Nishikori and Yuichi Sugita both won their singles matches to give Japan a 2-0 lead over India in a World Group playoff.
Nishikori beat Rohan Bopanna 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 after Sugita opened with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Somdev Devvarman.
Japan could return to the World Group for the first time in 27 years with a win in doubles today.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
