Candid Hewitt revels in return to finest form

看板Hewitt作者shirleypu (PuPu)時間21年前 (2003/08/31 12:37)推噓1(1推 0噓 0→)

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Candid Hewitt revels in return to finest form Sat Aug 30, 5:07 PM ET By Stephen Wood NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Lleyton Hewitt believes he has recaptured his best form of the year just in time to mount a serious U.S. Open bid. The Australian sixth seed, who won his first grand slam title here in 2001, progressed to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows on Saturday when Czech opponent Radek Stepanek retired injured while trailing 6-1 3-0 in their third-round match. "I played my best tennis of the year at the World Team Cup (in May)...but that today was right up there," said Hewitt. "It makes me feel good. I was aggressive, I served great and had a good rhythm. It was a big step up for me." Hewitt's results in 2003 have fallen short of the high standards he set himself when finishing 2001 and 2002 as world number one. However, his touch in a truncated performance against Stepanek, who received treatment on his back during the second set, suggested he was set to reclaim his pre-eminence. Talking candidly about his indifferent season, the 22-year-old rejected accusations he was "too happy" to prosper and played down reports he was considering Peter McNamara as his next coach. It was John McEnroe, during a television commentary, who claimed that Hewitt's father, Glynn, had told him privately the problem with Hewitt was that he was "too happy". But Hewitt told reporters: "I don't know where that's come from. "Some days I feel happier than others...but I don't think 'too happy' has got anything to do with it. "I still feel hungry and the will to win is still there. "When you look at the results I've had they're not quite up to the form (of two years ago). "Probably everyone's expectations rose that much more over the last couple of years. "There's still a couple of little things in my game I've got to alter, but I've been hitting the ball well and today it felt really clean. "Sometimes there are matches where I think I'm a better player than (when I won) in 2001, but it's hard to play faultless tennis week in, week out." Since Jason Stoltenberg quit as Hewitt's coach in June, critics have questioned the success of his link-up with Roger Rasheed. But Hewitt refused to bite on Australian media reports that former Australian professional and Davis Cup player McNamara would take over his coaching duties. "I don't know anything about it...I'm not looking at anyone," said Hewitt. After Stepanek's retirement on Saturday had brought their contest to a premature, 42-minute end, the twice grand slam champion conducted an impromptu 30-minute practice session. It was his initial preparation for his fourth round match with Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan. Despite leading their head-to-head meetings 4-1, Hewitt said: "All the matches have been close...he has got every shot in the game." -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw) ◆ From: 218.167.199.58