Watch out, Lleyton Hewitt. Carlos Moya is so relaxed at the thought of playing the world No1 he actually enjoys seeing Hewitt's name against his in tournament draws.
"The last four times he didn't win even a set, you know, of the last four times we played each other, so that gives you a lot of confidence," Moya said after his straightforward 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3 first-round win over American James Blake at the adidas International yesterday. "This year I feel like I could be even better, in a better position." He's not being cocky. The comment comes with a 5-2 record against the Australian - which included four successive wins against Hewitt last year. Moya's results suggest that perhaps he has the secret formula to consistently derail the Australian.
"I think his trouble is with my forehand; he finds it very difficult to find my backhand," Moya said. "I can only say that, when I play him, I feel very comfortable."
The 26-year-old Spaniard, a former world No1, finds himself back in contention for the top spot after a series of injuries that included a stress fracture in his lower back. The time spent in convalescence has allowed Moya to take stock of his game and make the improvements he feels can get him to the top spot.
"Before, I still was able to be number one and win a grand slam with not a very good backhand," he said. "After I fell injured ... I hit thousands of backhands during practice.
"It's not the best backhand on tour but I can be comfortable playing backhand and wait for the chance to play my forehand."
Blake enjoyed success only last weekend against Hewitt at the Hopman Cup. He believes Moya possesses perhaps the heaviest back-court game on the tour.
"I think Carlos should be one of the favourites going into the Australian Open," Blake said. "I'm not used to playing too many guys with bigger forehands than me. As soon as he gets a chance, he rips it and hits it so heavy that it makes it really tough just to even stay in the point after he hits it."
He also believes Moya may have Hewitt's measure.
"I think he's one of the few people on tour that can probably overpower Lleyton, as tough as it is to do," the American said.
And if he draw is like Nacho said, the Potato will always have a chance to catch another of those misterious potato diseases to avoid yet another loss of his peel
Carlos certainly has a good record againsty Llyeyton~ but everyone has some nemesis, & Moya is the only guy Hewitt has losing record to. Remember Rocky may 'lose the battle but win the war' against the likes of Potato Peeler. It's not enough just to beat Lleyton if you don't go on to win the whole schhbaaanggg.! For instance Masters Cup Shanghai~ yeah Carlos played his best tennis again to beat Lleyton 6:4. 7:5 but the only thing anyone will remember about the tournament is the Final: where Hewitt won a classic 5-setter against Ferrero. At the End of the Day~ Lleyton will have 6-8 Slams against his name & Carlos will merely have the French + a fine recored against the No.1 to tell his Grandchildren about. ps. If Rocky & Carolos draw each other in a Slam- I foresee Mr Potato to win in 5-sets~ more time to figure out the Spanish forehand!
Well, I have to say I hope Minging Moya is on the opposite half of Lleyton's draw, though I think Lleyton could take him in a best of five, in Slam, in Australia. If they meet, I guess we'll see.
Who is everyone? Why do they ask him to cut his locks ?
Anyway, back to the Moya-Hewitt h-to-h. I think it's just natural for Carlos to say that he's comfortable playing against Hewitt. When he beats him so many times, he's of course confident about it. But I'm sure he's not taking things for granted, cos everyone knows Hewitt is a fighter and hard to be intimidated.
I like to see Moya meeting Hewitt in Aussie. But since Agassi will be at the opposite side of draw, I prefer to see Moya beating Agassi bcos I'm still amazed by his match in TMS Paris .
If only W could be uncancelled and be held without fans as well, since it cannot be postponed to a later date and also cannot be held at an alternate venue!! It seems unfair to have the AO, USO, and FO, but not W, it really hurts players like Rogie a lot (Serena too maybe?)... Your thoughts??
Part of the reason for Djokovic and Federer's major success is their ability to be basically injury free. Its not an ability, maybe its genetics, training, etc. Regardless Djokovic and Federer have enjoyed probably 12+ years on the tour, practically injury free.
Federer had his back issues and...
We will continue to simulate the season with the second Grand Slam of 2020 - Roland Garros. The draw for the events will be completely randomized. Qualifiers are randomized as well and the WCs are chosen by me.
ALL-NEW - You may only vote ONCE EVERY TWO HOURS this week AND matches are best of...
GOAT tops yet another list, well deserved. More than twice as much as his two page boys -
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-tops-forbes-list-2020
Wertheim really overstepped himself by challenging Djokovic on vaccine position and water quality interest. Bad look by Wertheim.
https://www.tennis-prose.com/bios/wertheim-thinks-hes-judge-and-jury-of-djokovic/
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