August 21, 2005
Hewitt Confident of Strong U.S. Open Showing
By REUTERS
Filed at 2:51 p.m. ET
CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt believes his run to the semi-finals at the Cincinnati Masters sets him up perfectly for another assault on the title at Flushing Meadows.
The Australian, who will be seeded third in New York, lost to American Andy Roddick in Cincinnati, but pulled out of Montreal the week before with a virus, his confidence is high as he prepares for the final grand slam event of the year.
``It's been pretty good this week,'' said Hewitt, who won his first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2001.
``I could easily have lost in the second round to Greg Rusedski. To come through that and have some tough matches is very good.
``It's great preparation for the U.S. Open. I think I've got better as the week's gone on. If I can keep practicing the next week hard, next Monday hopefully my game will be at an even stronger point.''
Hewitt began the year in style, reaching the final of his home grand slam for the first time, before losing in four sets to Russian Marat Safin.
Injury and illness caused him to skip the claycourt season, but he showed his appetite for the big occasion when he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon, losing to eventual champion Roger Federer.
In Cincinnati he improved with every match and had he taken his chances against Roddick he could easily have beaten the American for the sixth time in eight meetings.
``I felt a little bit tired the whole match,'' Hewitt said.
``Obviously, we played a few matches, and I'm backing up after not feeling great last week. So I can't say I've had the most energy this week.
``I can walk away and know that there was a couple of points, a breakpoint in the first set and he hit the edge of the line. A couple of inches, and I'm serving to go up 5-2 in the first.
``You know, it's a game of inches, and a couple went his way.''
Hewitt has a consistent record at the U.S. Open. Since winning it in 2001 he has never failed to reach the quarter-final and was runner-up last year to an inspired Federer.
* Copyright 2005 Reuters Ltd.
Hewitt Confident of Strong U.S. Open Showing
By REUTERS
Filed at 2:51 p.m. ET
CINCINNATI (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Lleyton Hewitt believes his run to the semi-finals at the Cincinnati Masters sets him up perfectly for another assault on the title at Flushing Meadows.
The Australian, who will be seeded third in New York, lost to American Andy Roddick in Cincinnati, but pulled out of Montreal the week before with a virus, his confidence is high as he prepares for the final grand slam event of the year.
``It's been pretty good this week,'' said Hewitt, who won his first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2001.
``I could easily have lost in the second round to Greg Rusedski. To come through that and have some tough matches is very good.
``It's great preparation for the U.S. Open. I think I've got better as the week's gone on. If I can keep practicing the next week hard, next Monday hopefully my game will be at an even stronger point.''
Hewitt began the year in style, reaching the final of his home grand slam for the first time, before losing in four sets to Russian Marat Safin.
Injury and illness caused him to skip the claycourt season, but he showed his appetite for the big occasion when he reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon, losing to eventual champion Roger Federer.
In Cincinnati he improved with every match and had he taken his chances against Roddick he could easily have beaten the American for the sixth time in eight meetings.
``I felt a little bit tired the whole match,'' Hewitt said.
``Obviously, we played a few matches, and I'm backing up after not feeling great last week. So I can't say I've had the most energy this week.
``I can walk away and know that there was a couple of points, a breakpoint in the first set and he hit the edge of the line. A couple of inches, and I'm serving to go up 5-2 in the first.
``You know, it's a game of inches, and a couple went his way.''
Hewitt has a consistent record at the U.S. Open. Since winning it in 2001 he has never failed to reach the quarter-final and was runner-up last year to an inspired Federer.
* Copyright 2005 Reuters Ltd.