Lleyton Hewitt vs. Juan Martin del Potro

[NandoMania]

That other thread is a train wreck.
Hopefully, this one will not offend anybody.

The poll question is: Which of the two (Lleyton Hewitt or Juan-Martin del Potro) will win when they meet in round 2 on Thursday?

The Championships, Wimbledon
del Potro To Face Childhood Idol Hewitt In Second Round

London, England

by James Buddell
| 23.06.2009

Fifth-seeded Argentine Juan Martin del Potro demonstrated to the Court One crowd on Monday just why he might be a challenger for The Championships title this year.
With a fluent service action, a powerful forehand and an ability on grass to move quickly, which defies his 6’6” frame, the 20 year old produced a polished and confident performance against Arnaud Clement of France for a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory in one hour and 37 minutes.

“I had a good start in this Wimbledon,” admitted del Potro, who did not play an ATP World Tour grass-court tournament in the build-up to The Championships due to a five-day illness. “I did everything [well,] serves, volleys, returns. It was [easier] than I was thinking before the match.”
Under the guidance of Franco Davin, his coach since March 2008, he became the first player in the ATP World Tour history to win his first four titles in four straight tournaments last year. But it has been his consistency this year – nine quarter-final appearances or better in 10 tournaments, including a semi-final appearance at Roland Garros – that has seen him become a genuine Grand Slam championship contender.

Playing at his third straight Wimbledon, del Potro broke the Clement serve six times and hit 27 winners for a place in the second round where he will challenge his childhood idol Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion from Australia.
“I have a chance to do a good tournament,” said del Potro. “When I go into the court I always think [of] victory. Now I have a very good player in front of me, but I have my weapons. I have my game and I am confident and [will] try to beat him.”

Clement made a first round exit for the fifth time in 13 appearances at the All England Club. The 31 year old is 0-3 on grass courts this year, having fallen in the Halle (l. to Melzer) and ‘s-Hertogenbosch (l. to Kunitsyn) first rounds.

Hewitt eased into the second round with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 win over Robby Ginepri of the United States in 91 minutes. The 28-year-old Hewitt recovered from a 1-4 deficit in the first set before he found his rhythm against Ginepri, who twice called for the trainer for a neck injury in the third set. Hewitt has a 32-9 record at The Championships.
“It's going to be a tough match,” said Hewitt, looking ahead to the del Potro match. “He's a class player. He was only a couple of points from maybe winning the French Open a couple of weeks ago. He's an all court player. He's got a big game. It's going to be a good challenge.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Te...o-To-Meet-Childhood-Idol-In-Second-Round.aspx

 

[forehand_dude]

Why do people even think Hewitt has a chance here? Because he beat a seriously ailing Nadal in an exhibition?

I say del Potro wins easily.

 

[tennis08tarheels]

I like JMDP in this one, and I think probably in straight sets. Hewitt jumps out to an early first set lead, but JMDP takes Set 1 in a tight breaker.

7-6, 6-1, 6-4

I think JMDP is a much, much better grass court player than most fans believe he is. Great size, athleticism and (hard) consistent strokes make for a fantastic all-court game.

 

[Sentinel]

I think Juan (i hope that is not offensive ) will take it in 3, altho i voted 4 just in case Delpo is "getting his feet wet" on grass.

JM certainly has game. I think his fitness for 4/5 sets is suspect based on his match with Roj-air.

 

[IvanAndreevich]

DP will crush Hewitt unfortunately at this point in their careers.

 

[Love Game]

Why do people even think Hewitt has a chance here? Because he beat a seriously ailing Nadal in an exhibition?

I say del Potro wins easily.

probably because of sentimentality ..... he is/was a great player, and he's done remarkably well after his hip replacement surgery, except that he does start limping when he gets tired ... but i thought i'd take a look at their head-to-head:

not very revealing, except for the difference in their rankings and the difference in their fitness. i gotta believe delpo's gonna win.

 

[VivalaVida]

Del Potty in 3.

 

[Love Game]

I like JMDP in this one, and I think probably in straight sets. Hewitt jumps out to an early first set lead, but JMDP takes Set 1 in a tight breaker.

7-6, 6-1, 6-4

I think JMDP is a much, much better grass court player than most fans believe he is. Great size, athleticism and (hard) consistent strokes make for a fantastic all-court game.

I'll have to take a look at Hewitt's record on grass. All I know about Delpo is that he hasn't played on grass since 2008 Wimby.

Delpo looked better and better today as his match against Clement progressed. I suppose that clement isnt much of a match for hewitt, but I'm hoping that Delpo's superior size and clean strokes should see him thru to the third round.

Sorry to put it this way, but Del Potro is the future, and Hewitt is the past. As someone else put it: Delpo is on the way up, while Hewitt is on the way down.​

 

[UsualSuspect]

I want former champ hewitt to win.

 

[zagor]

Why do people even think Hewitt has a chance here? Because he beat a seriously ailing Nadal in an exhibition?

I say del Potro wins easily.

Yes I also think people overhype Lleyton's chances in this one,we'll find out if we're both right.

 

[joeri888]

Still a great match between two great players. I like both, but will rooting for Lleyton a LOT. Lleyton is a great champion and I hope he can make it competitive. I'd put my money on Delpo in 3 though

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Potro in 4.

 

[Andres]

Del Potro in three, and it's not going to be pretty

 

[Love Game]

I want former champ hewitt to win.

i can understand that, but i'm not sure whether his chances exist in today's reality. For example, Delpo turned pro in 2005, so comparing from then:

Delpo's Ranking History:

Delpo's Match Record

......... compared to ........

Rusty's Ranking History:

Rusty's Match Record:

 

[maximo]

Hewitt to win in 5.

 

[Breaker]

Hewitt d. Del Potty in 4.

 

[Love Game]

Hewitt d. Del Potty in 4.

aww, come on .... dont be a potty mouth!
a potty is a toilet ...... we can all stoop to your bathroom humor level, but it's not in the best interests of the discussion, so regarding your attempts to hijack the thread ... could you please stop flaming? it is a violation of the Terms of Service. Do I have to link them for you?

can we please have an adult discussion?
on at least one thread?

__________
Bottom line: Winning is the best revenge. I believe that those of us who are trying to maintain an adult level of discussion will get the revenge on the potty mouths.

Perhaps Hewitt could take one single set, but even if he does, JM del Potro will win in 4 sets!

 

[Breaker]

aww, come on .... dont be a potty mouth!
a potty is a toilet ...... we can all stoop to your bathroom humor level, but it's not in the best interests of the discussion, so regarding your attempts to hijack the thread ... could you please stop flaming? it is a violation of the Terms of Service. Do I have to link them for you?

can we please have an adult discussion?
on at least one thread?

__________
Bottom line: Winning is the best revenge. I believe that those of us who are trying to maintain an adult level of discussion will get the revenge on the potty mouths.

Perhaps Hewitt could take one single set, but even if he does, JM del Potro will win in 4 sets!

I can't tell if you're being serious or not, that is nowhere near flaming.

Would it make you feel better if I said Hewitt is going to get Del Pot-roasted?

 

[malakas]

Hewitt defeats del Pony in 4.

 

[ChanceEncounter]

I like Del Potrozac in this matchup.

 

[Love Game]

boris becker was such a wonderful announcer in delpo's match against clement yesterday. don't know how hewitt's serve compares, but delpo's serve was quite a nice weapon yesterday.

 

[Sentinel]

I hope Delpo sends Hewitt packing in 3. I havve notthing against Hewitt, but there's too much expectaction from him on this forum.

 

[Sentinel]

I want former champ hewitt to win.

hehe, there's a reason he's called FORMER :twisted:

May it stay that way I hope its a good match, but i really wanna see JMDP getting to a slam final SOOOON.

edit: but NOT by beating someone ....

 

[FlamEnemY]

Hewitt in 5. If Del Potro can't make it in 3 (4) sets Hewitt is going to outlast him.
Sorry JMDP, I like you, but I have to go with the old dog.

 

[SikSerb]

Voted for Hewitt to take it in four sets.

 

[norbac]

C'mon Lleyton! Hewitt in four.

 

[T1000]

hewitt in 3 or 4

 

[bdon]

for my brackets sake, hewitt in 5

 

[Al Czervik]

Youth wins out, DelPotty in five.

 

[bluetrain4]

Del Potro has the shots, and if he's "on", he should win.

But, we've all seen that he can be pretty streaky and isn't always resilient when he loses a lead or when having to play from behind (though I think he turned a corner in this regard at the French).

If Del Potro is slightly off and Hewitt makes him hit a lot of balls, Hewitt could get into the match, possibly win.

But, I'll go with Del Potro in 4 sets.

 

[Serendipitous]

Who On Mar Teen Dell Pote Row will beat Lay Ton Hew Wit in straight sets.

 

[bolo]

Who On Mar Teen Dell Pote Row will beat Lay Ton Hew Wit in straight sets.

lol.

Who's your pick for the tournament now that Nadal is out Seren?

 

[CountryHillbilly]

Seems like many people think DelPo is nothing on grass. I still think he'll win easily. Hewitt is not a threat anymore to top-ranked guys.

 

[Serendipitous]

lol.

Who's your pick for the tournament now that Nadal is out Seren?

Federer, of course......I hope we get to see another epic final this year.

 

[bolo]

Federer, of course......I hope we get to see another epic final this year.

The safe pick. I am looking forward to his potential match with Verdasco.

 

[GraniteHoosier]

As much as I want Hewitt to win, I think this is a terrible matchup for him. JMDP should be able to completely dictate play, I expect Lleyton to be scrambling a lot. Lleyton will have to play a little craftier than he normally does (i.e. throw in some short slices, drop shots, etc....); see if he can extend the match to at least 4 sets and maybe JMDP will get tired.

 

[Cross Court]

Del Potro in 3. You know, I know and every single person alive in this world today knows that Del Potro is going to win Wimbledon this year.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

Del Potro in 3. You know, I know and every single person alive in this world today knows that Del Potro is going to win Wimbledon this year.

Andwhat world are you talking about? In my world people do not know it. In my world all people saw was his loss at FO to Fed :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[Cross Court]

Andwhat world are you talking about? In my world people do not know it. In my world all people saw was his loss at FO to Fed :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

There is no explanation, Del Potro is going to win. It's just that, don't ask any questions.

 

[shadows]

Let's go Lleyton, if you can get through this you've got a great shot of going deep!

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

There is no explanation, Del Potro is going to win. It's just that, don't ask any questions.

So, you are so sure about that? Are you confident enough to bet your paycheck :twisted::twisted:
Down here we say - put your money where your mouth is.

 

[fedtastic]

I feel this is going to be a great match. I am going for Delpotro in 5.
Hewitt is not gonna go without a fight so I am expecting a long and intertaining match.

 

[kanamit]

Should be an interesting match up. One man past his prime and the other not yet at his prime.

 

[Alejandro D]

Delpo in 3. I'm looking forward for a Delpo-Murray SF, the best possible matchup for 2009 Wimby.

 

[luckyboy1300]

del potro in 3 easy sets

 

[boogywhip]

I want Hewitt to win, so Ill say (unconfidently) Hewitt in 5.

 

[Love Game]

Should be an interesting match up. One man past his prime and the other not yet at his prime.

And the good news IMHO is that this match is first up on centre court Thursday @ 13:00 local, 08:00 eastern time. I assume Lleyton's been to centre court wimby before, but this w/b Delpo's first appearance there!

_______

 

[Love Game]

Delpo in 3. I'm looking forward for a Delpo-Murray SF, the best possible matchup for 2009 Wimby.

I must agree i'd like to see that too ....... delpo finally beat andy for the first time at roland garros, and admittedly the odds would be in andy's favor, being in front of andy's home crowd and on grass ....... wow that w/b quite a challenge for delpo ........ and of course i'd like to see it!

 

[skip1969]

you know what, i'm actually gonna wake up early to watch this one (presumably on a stream since espn will probably be showing venus) . . . but i have a hunch that this one might be a good one.

nothing to do with the nadal exo the other day, but delpo isn't really a great mover and grass is . . . well, grass. lleyton knows his was around, that experience might give him the boost he needs (and i don't even like him). on hardcourts, he'd probably get smoked. but maybe on centre court, he's got a chance.

 

[Love Game]

you know what, i'm actually gonna wake up early to watch this one (presumably on a stream since espn will probably be showing venus) . . . but i have a hunch that this one might be a good one.

nothing to do with the nadal exo the other day, but delpo isn't really a great mover and grass is . . . well, grass. lleyton knows his was around, that experience might give him the boost he needs (and i don't even like him). on hardcourts, he'd probably get smoked. but maybe on centre court, he's got a chance.

me too ....... it'll be 5 a.m. my time, but i really cant miss delpo's first time on centre court, which w/b experience any player would require before facing a semis or a finals there! ..... and the wimby crowd seems much, much more fair than the RG crowd was .... unlike RG, they'll show unbiased appreciation for both player's strong points ...... lleyton's movement and experience, juan martin's serving and ball striking!

oh yeah I agree both players w/b waaaay up for this one! should be an excellent contest if delPotro can maintain his mentality and hewitt can maintain his physicality.