Dropping like flies
Dropping like flies
By LEO SCHLINK January 21, 2004
LLEYTON Hewitt's Australian Open hopes soared bizarrely yesterday as the former
world No. 1 avoided a long match in extreme heat when Cecil Mamiit retired
after colliding with the umpire's chair.
Hewitt has now won his past three matches by mid-match retirements, conserving
energy as two seeds – Spaniard Felix Mantilla and Swede Jonas Bjorkman –
were knocked out of his quarter of the draw.
Qualifier Mamiit, ranked 195th, rolled his left ankle in the final game of the
second set as he attempted to reach a Hewitt backhand drop shot.
The showy American appeared to collide innocuously with the umpire's chair,
but was soon writhing on centre court before being treated by Swedish trainer
Per Bastholt, with Hewitt holding a 6-2 6-4 lead.
Mamiit resumed after a long break – during which Hewitt ruthlessly maintained
a steely focus and avoided looking at Mamiit as he underwent treatment – but
lasted just six more points, one of which was a 188km/h ace, before conceding.
"I felt I was getting on top of him," Hewitt said. "When I really had to step
it up at 4-4 in the second set, I was able to do that – break him to love.
"That's a nice match to get through. Your first match in your home grand slam
is always tough.
"To come through, not waste too much energy and be through to the next round,
that's nice."
Desperate to add the Australian Open to his Wimbledon and US Open trophies,
Hewitt spent 84 minutes on centre court, appearing to lift his game only when
necessary.
He broke serve in the opening game and repeated the feat in the seventh game,
when erratic Mamiit nudged a forehand wide.
Berating himself for poor footwork early in the second set, Hewitt sprang into
action in the ninth game when he broke Mamiit to love with a flawless return
game, highlighted by a glorious forehand winner.
Ahead 40-15 in the next game, Hewitt took the set with the drop shot to
effectively end Mamiit's hopes.
Hewitt has now needed just under four sets in total to win his past three
matches – a precious advantage on a compact circuit noted for its capacity
to test even the supremely fit.
He was dominating Dutchman Martin Verkerk in the adidas International
semi-final when the French Open finalist succumbed to illness.
Carlos Moya was the next to fall victim to the plague of ankle injuries on
Rebound Ace when he buckled on his right leg when trailing 3-4 (15-40) on
Hewitt's serve in the final.
Hewitt will face Slovakian Karol Kucera tomorrow, for the third time in three
weeks.
"It's going to be a tough match," Hewitt said of the former world No. 6.
"Last week was a bit of a weird match from 0-4 down, then winning 6-3 6-1.
"He's a tough player, smart player out there. He moves the ball around well.
He moves extremely well. He's got a pretty good serve on him as well. He uses
the angles of the court well and goes for the lines a lot.
"I've got to go out there and play my game. We had a tough match in Perth
[Hopman Cup], where I got through in three sets. It's no easy match."
Hewitt has won two of three matches with Kucera, who yesterday beat Belgian
Xavier Malisse 6-2 6-3 6-4.
Hewitt yesterday celebrated his 400th tour match with his 306th victory, in
front of a strangely subdued crowd.
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