Brisbane Final: Hewitt vs Federer

Federer vs Hewitt

  • Total voters
    75
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and former world number one Roger Federer have provided tournament organisers a dream match-up by booking their place in the Brisbane International final.

Feeling the heat in more ways than one, Lleyton Hewitt was ice cool as he fought back to clinch a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over second seed Kei Nishikori.

As the on-court temperature hovered around 40 degrees, world number 60 Hewitt applied the blowtorch to the Japanese young gun, providing the veteran a huge shot in the arm ahead of the Australian Open.

The former world number one will play Federer in the final, after the Swiss great took three sets to beat eighth-seeded French journeyman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 at Pat Rafter Arena later on Saturday.

Two-time grand slam champion Hewitt is still enjoying the best start to a summer since 2005 when he made the Australian Open final against Marat Safin.

Both Hewitt and Nishikori spent breaks between points with ice packs draped around their necks and on the back of their heads while nestled next to court-side fans as they tried to counter the sweltering conditions.

And at first, world number 17 Nishikori defied the draining weather.

Hewitt, 32, was up 40-0 serving at 5-5 but was still broken before Nishikori sealed the first set with a stunning backhand winner.

Rather than drop his head and succumb to the heat, Hewitt again showed his fighting spirit to break Nishikori - eight years his junior - in the 10th game and seal the second set.

On a roll, Hewitt rattled off a total of five straight games to jump to a 3-0 lead in the third and didn't look back.

Hewitt moved to a 2-0 overall record against Nishikori, who he last defeated at Wimbledon in 2011.

Fit again after a career-threatening toe injury and back in the world top 75 for the first time in three years, Hewitt is suddenly feeling very good ahead of the year's first grand slam.

"I love the battle," Hewitt said of his fightback on Saturday.

"Mentally this is a major win to have come back and gone the distance.

"You do all the hard work in the off season so you don't want to come here and go through the motions.

"You are retired a long time. I want to squeeze out everything I possibly can before then."
Click to expand...

Hewitt in 3 Fed still has to play doubles, he'll be knackered.
 
J

JRAJ1988

Guest
This match hinges on Hewitt's return on Federer's service. Hewitt must go to the net more often and mix it up....Lleyton is the underdog obviously....now I'm split as I like both!
 
underground

underground

G.O.A.T.
Hewitt won't have as much pace on the groundstrokes as Chardy does, so Fed won't shank as much. Fed in 2 hopefully for his first title of the year.
 
C

ctoth666

Banned
Federer could definitely lose to Hewitt. I mean, I have no idea who's going to win. Probably Federer? But I don't know anymore.
 
Backspin1183

Backspin1183

Talk Tennis Guru
Federer can win the tournament without playing a top 30 player.

If Hewitt's RoS clicks, the Swiss Raonic will lose.
 
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
It really is a dream matchup huh? Like who would've ever thought these two would meet in a final again?

Hewitt has been great at the net, he'll have to go outside his comfort zone to win.
 
Terenigma

Terenigma

G.O.A.T.
Wow i had no idea this was already up to the final, thats a really great final. I think Federer will probably win in 3. Would be fantastic to see Hewitt win tho, when was the last time these 2 played each other?
 
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
Terenigma said:
Wow i had no idea this was already up to the final, thats a really great final. I think Federer will probably win in 3. Would be fantastic to see Hewitt win tho, when was the last time these 2 played each other?
Click to expand...

Davis Cup in 11, Fed won in 4 with 2 tight sets

On a tour level, Halle in 10' Hewitt won in three
 
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F

fighting123

Rookie
Hope Federer comes to net more often in this match. Would be great to see Hewitt passing shots vs Federer volleys just like old time!
 
Elite

Elite

Semi-Pro
I predicted Federer in straight sets, although they'll both be close. Maybe something along the lines of 75 76. It entirely depends on which Federer shows up, however. Rusty will be fighting until the end, so any signs of vulnerability on Federer's racket and Hewitt will be ready to exploit it.
 
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
Elite said:
I predicted Federer in straight sets, although they'll both be close. Maybe something along the lines of 75 76. It entirely depends on which Federer shows up, however. Rusty will be fighting until the end, so any signs of vulnerability on Federer's racket and Hewitt will be ready to exploit it.
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When did you change from the Caesar bust mate, that made you so recognisable

When is doubles? Like tonight or tomorrow, it'll depend on how much effort Fed expends n doubles, Hewitt will run him ragged if he gets his way

But Hewitt has been starting very slowly, if he does Fed will be 4-0 up by the time he gets into gear.
 
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
Elite said:
Time for a change, pal, but I'm tempted to already change back.
Click to expand...

Haha, I just noticed it now, Nice Voltaire quotes btw.

Turns out Fed Plays tonight, that's alright then, I was concerned he may have to retire if he was out for 3 sets or so. And it was 40+ heat
 
ark_28

ark_28

Legend
Elite said:
TennisTV, if you're willing to purchase a subscription. Other than that, you're out of luck, especially since iPad's are not flash compatible.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah iPad not being flash compatible sucks! Do you know if I can subscribe for a one off tournament? I am not crazy about getting a long term deal because we have cable but I don't mind paying to watch this match :)
 
Wynter

Wynter

Legend
I wouldn't know, but don't most offer a 28 day trial etc;?

Or something similar... But yeah, no idea mate
 
Elite

Elite

Semi-Pro
ark_28 said:
Thanks! Yeah iPad not being flash compatible sucks! Do you know if I can subscribe for a one off tournament? I am not crazy about getting a long term deal because we have cable but I don't mind paying to watch this match :)
Click to expand...

The best you can do is get a monthly subscription which, in all honesty, would be a waste of money now since the rest of January will be mostly filled with the Australian Open and Grand Slams are never broadcasted on TennisTV. You'd waste a good $20 if you decided to go down that route. Unfortunately, there are not many options. You could find a live stream on your computer pretty easily, I'd assume, but the iPad is very restrictive.

EDIT: TennisTV have day passes? Never knew that. Good news!
 
P

pound cat

G.O.A.T.
Elite said:
The best you can do is get a monthly subscription which, in all honesty, would be a waste of money now since the rest of January will be mostly filled with the Australian Open and Grand Slams are never broadcasted on TennisTV. You'd waste a good $20 if you decided to go down that route. Unfortunately, there are not many options. You could find a live stream on your computer pretty easily, I'd assume, but the iPad is very restrictive.

EDIT: TennisTV have day passes? Never knew that. Good news!
Click to expand...

Not day passes...1 month purchases and they don't show all the tournaments or all matches. You have to look at their site.
 
Chanwan

Chanwan

G.O.A.T.
Backspin1183 said:
Federer can win the tournament without playing a top 30 player.

If Hewitt's RoS clicks, the Swiss Raonic will lose.
Click to expand...

So? Nadal played one. And don't you think a former no. 1 and GS winner can be just as tough as some guy ranked in the 20's?

I would certainly presume so.

As for the Raonic nonsense - just lol. Seriously? One of the most versatile players in the modern eras is suddenly a swiss Raonic, because he has a good serve and not that great a ground game on one day?
I could - with equal if not even more right - refer to Nadal as the men's Wozniacki aka the Golden Retriever.
 
Roddick85

Roddick85

Hall of Fame
Chanwan said:
So? Nadal played one. And don't you think a former no. 1 and GS winner can be just as tough as some guy ranked in the 20's?

I would certainly presume so.

As for the Raonic nonsense - just lol. Seriously? One of the most versatile players in the modern eras is suddenly a swiss Raonic, because he has a good serve and not that great a ground game on one day?
I could - with equal if not even more right - refer to Nadal as the men's Wozniacki aka the Golden Retriever.
Click to expand...

+1
Please don't mention Federer and Raonic in the sentence, roger's an all time great, Raonic is probably one of the most overrated players of this decade.
 
kishnabe

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
I am a Fedfanboy but would like to see Hewitt beat Federer at his own homeground.

Would be a nice consolation from his 2005 AO loss.
 
tennis_pro

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Any result is possible but I'd say (in order of probability):

Federer in 3
Federer in 2
Hewitt in 3
Hewitt in 2
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
I am really looking forward to this match. Love both these guys, and honestly I will be happy with either result. Federer, so he gets the confidence heading into the season, Hewitt, because this looks like his last stand and getting a win at home would be special. :)
 
tennisaddict

tennisaddict

Bionic Poster
I wouldnt mind if Hewitt won. I think Fed will let go of this one, just like how he gave Haas one on his comeback.

It would be awesome for Hewitt to win a home title.
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
tennisaddict said:
I wouldnt mind if Hewitt won. I think Fed will let go of this one, just like how he gave Haas one on his comeback.

It would be awesome for Hewitt to win a home title.
Click to expand...

Didn't Fed lose to Hewitt also in Halle?

Either way, I am happy with whoever wins here. Both are favs of mine. :)
 
A

aussie

Professional
Guys I live 15 minutes from the venue and while Lleyton was playing Kei yesterday the temp was around 43.5 (110) at my house. And the temp wasn't the killer - the high humidity was. Those conditions are made for Rusty's never-say-die style of attritional style of game and any repeat of those conditions today will totally suit his game.

So if heat and humidity are close to yesterday's, Lleyton in 3 dogged sets, but if conditions are milder, Fed in 2 reasonably comfortable sets. Bring on the heat and c'mon Rusty!
 
Fedinkum

Fedinkum

Legend
Match starts at 3:30pm local time, 30deg cloudy forecasted. Better condition than yesterday for Fed. Hope he had a good rest after the late double yesterday. Looking forward to a great match. Fed in 3.
 
TennisManiac

TennisManiac

Hall of Fame
Federer in straights. Hewitt doesn't have the offensive to win this match. Just look at their history. Roger leads 18-8. And Roger won 16 of their last 17 meetings. Hewitt? YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! :lol:
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
Honestly, don't know what Hewitt would have to do in order to win. I watched Hewitt's SF match and Nishikori was outpacing him for a set and a half, Hewitt looked helpless.
But he pulled it off, mainly because of his mental strength - you have to appreciate that - and Nishikori's problems with hot air, he looked totally drained in that third set (strange for a guy who lives in Florida, though).

Federer will probably outpower him with both serve and forehand, Hewitt looked very slow yesterday...
 
M

merwy

G.O.A.T.
I really want to watch this one! I haven't been able to watch one Brisbane match because of the time difference and I cannot miss this old school matchup. Besides, because Hewitt is somewhat a counterpuncher I think this match will show how good Federer can exert his own game and take control of the rallies.

hmm.. it's on at 6:30AM. I guess that's doable. Kinda.
 
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D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
merwy said:
I really want to watch this one! I haven't been able to watch one Brisbane match because of the time difference and I cannot miss this old school matchup. Besides, because Hewitt is somewhat a counterpuncher I think this match will show how good Federer can exert his own game and take control of the rallies.

hmm.. it's on at 6:30AM. I guess that's doable. Kinda.
Click to expand...

Same here, man, but this might be the last chance to see those two champions playing each other, so...don't fall asleep! :)
 
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