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Hewitt sets up Nalbandian clash

Hewitt sets up Nalbandian clash

AAP Wednesday 14 January 2009 29 Comments »

Four-time champion Lleyton Hewitt has produced his best display of the summer to scorch into the quarterfinals of the Medibank International Sydney with a straight-sets win over Janko Tipsarevic.

Hewitt recovered from an early setback before romping to a 7-5 6-4 victory over the shot-making Serb in oppressive heat at Sydney Olympic Park.

He will next play old enemy David Nalbandian in the quarterfinals.

Playing in Sydney for the first time since demolishing Hewitt in a grasscourt Davis Cup encounter three-and-a-half years ago, the fourth-seeded Nalbandian breezed past Frenchman Michael Llodra 6-1 6-3.

Big-name seeds Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also safely progressed to the last eight with routine wins on Wednesday.

None of them, though, could have been as satisfied as Hewitt, who followed up his scrappy first-round win on Tuesday over Julien Benneteau with a polished performance at Ken Rosewall Arena.

After dropping his opening service game with a double-fault, the Australian rebounded to win 13 of the last 19 games to bury Tipsarevic and book a showdown on Thursday with Nalbandian, his long-time Argentine sparring partner.

The top-seeded Djokovic claimed a straightforward 6-1 6-2 win over Paul-Henri Mathieu, whose French countryman Tsonga brushed aside Italian Simone Bolelli 6-4 6-1.

Tsonga’s victory may have looked comfortable but last year’s Australian Open finalist was troubled by a back complaint, the third seed twice receiving treatment for the injury.

The world No.6 later played down injury concerns, sighting stiffness as the reason for his medical timeouts.

Chris Guccione is currently on court against Jarko Nieminen, while Serena Williams plays tonight against Caroline Wozniacki.

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  • D

    Did not get to watch the match…only follow the live score.
    Seemed like Tipsarevic was cruising through the match, and then he just stopped.

    What happened?
    Did Hewitt wake up, or did Tipsarevic stop playing???

  • L

    Hewitt came back and started playing really well so Janko kinda gave up.. GO LLEYTON!!

  • Sandy

    Well done Lleyton, knew you could do it.

  • Nicj

    Tipsarevic hurt his fingers when he was up 5-3, and struggled for the rest of the game

  • Kathy

    Well Done Lleyton!!!

    Can’t wait for tomorrow to watch live on centre court!!!

  • vance

    wheres mary pierce.shes so hot

  • http://brisbaneinternational.com.au Ryan

    Lleyton played bad at the start but tipsarevic just started playin shit cause of his fingers i thought lleyton was gonna get flogged cause he was down 5-2 but Go Lleyton and bad luck Guccione

  • Barry O Rourke

    What odds the strange one will receive a straight sets thumping from Nalbandian?

  • Dee

    Anyone know when the game will be played and if it’s day or night? Thanks

  • som

    Come on Lleyton !!!

  • di hollett

    well done lleyton I missed the match but got result against Tipsarevic you are still my favourite player in the world
    I am coming to Melbourne woo hoo CMON !!!!! AUSSIE !!!!!!

  • Sam

    nalbandian will smash hewitt

    GO DAVID!!!!

  • Joy Bourke

    Yesterday at the Ken Rosewall areana, it was more than disheartening to hear John Alexander and colleague Todd Woodbridge give such a bias presentation of the commentating.
    Their comments, on the many times each player’s hit “out”, was so obviously in favour of Lleyton.
    Australia being the host country, and the two famous ex-players in this role, did “The Game” an ‘unsportmanship’ dis-service. Just as well Lleyton’s opponent was, seemingly, unaware.

  • bel

    does any one know wat time they play………..

  • Alan

    Hewitt vs Nalbandian!

    It doesn’t get any bigger than that.
    Two great players. They played in a Wimbledon Final (2002).
    This should be a final!
    C’mon Lleyton!

  • luke

    is anyone going tomorrow to watch Lleyton

  • cody

    He had a slow start and dominated after being down 5-2. Tough one tomorrow against Nalbandian but he certainly looks like he’s capable of an upset.

  • peter

    hewitt is still shite.

  • http://www.granomad.blogspot.com Keasty

    Hewitt playing very well. Returning serve excellent! I believe he can do Nalbandian. Then it’s Simon or Andreev and he’s in the final. Quite possible! Go Lleyt!

  • milton

    leyton pecho frio, nalbandian te va a romper el orto maricon!!!

  • Myriam

    Come on Lleyton go for it!!! Can’t wait for the Aus open to see you playing jour best tennis

  • Daniela

    janko wouldve definitely won, but his thumb was troubling him. in pain probably so couldnt grip on the racquet as he normally would. so lleyton was lucky in a way, coz he had no chance until that happened. tipsarevics shots were so smooth and effortless( live, i dont no how it lookd on tv), i thought i was watching federer :|

    but im glad lleyton has gone to the next round, hope its a good match with nalbanian! cant wait!!

  • Terry B

    Tipsarevic is a Federer Crusher. Janko gave Hewitt the win because its not a Major Event.

  • MONICA ARGENTINA

    VAMOS DAVID……….LLEYTON ES BUENO Y MÁS EN SU PAÍS, PERO TU ERES BUENO EN TODOS LADOS. BRAVO LO DE LLODRA…………VAMOS TODAVÍA…….VAMOS ARGENTINA……..

  • Bill

    great work Lleyton.

    you deserved the impressive win!!

    Hewitt is a legend

  • http://ronan.69.@bigpond.com Ronnie

    tipsarevic just made too many unforce errors, you can’t let Lleyton smell victory, he will punish you.. but after just saying that, tommorow will be a tough match for Lleyton, Nalbandian will be just too good for him…

  • dyar

    i watch the game hw]ewitt start bad but then just went crazy there was nothing Tipsarevic could do for a while in that game hewitt looked like he was back in form just like when he played as world 1# but saying that the game was just crazy & Tipsarevic he one of the best player but just he didnt have it in him but GO hewitt COME! ONNNNNNNN OZZY OZZY OZZY

  • alexiss

    well it looks like lleyton fought back with great determination. but he could not have won had tisarevic had not injured his fingers.

  • Ani

    come on david destroy the aussie once again!

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