Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt stunned top seed Roger Federer of Switzerland to win the Brisbane International yesterday.
Hewitt raced through the first set then held off a comeback from the world No. 6 to win 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in 2 hours, 7 minutes.
It was Hewitt’s 29th title on the ATP tour, but his first since 2010, when he also beat Federer in the final at Halle.
Photo: Reuters
Hewitt, the world No. 60, is projected to rise to 43 on the rankings as a result of the win and is set to be one of the most dangerous floaters when the Australian Open draw is made on Friday.
Federer started poorly and made a staggering 22 unforced errors in the first set, perhaps showing the effects of playing singles and doubles in the heat and humidity of a Brisbane summer.
The Swiss great had not lost his serve all week, but he appeared sluggish from the beginning and was broken to love in the first game.
He managed to stop the rot on his next serve, but Hewitt was soon back in control, breaking Federer twice more to take the first set in only 27 minutes.
Hewitt lost only one point on serve in the first set as Federer imploded, stunning the sellout crowd at the Pat Rafter Arena.
The second set started much the same way with Hewitt holding easily and Federer struggling.
The top seed gradually worked his way into form, halving his error rate and beginning to pressure the Australian.
He had the chance to break Hewitt in the fifth game, but could not convert. He struck immediately afterward to break the Australian, then served three aces on his way to leveling the match.
Hewitt struggled to hold serve at the start of the third, but surprisingly it was Federer who cracked first, dropping serve in the fourth game when a tired looking forehand sailed long on break point.
The Australian then held serve easily to jump out to a 4-1 lead in the decider and maintained the advantage to win the title.
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