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1/22/08 12:20 AM | Cheryl Murray
Novak Djokovic holds off a weary but determined Lleyton Hewitt to secure the final spot in the quarterfinals
It wasn't for lack of trying. Aussie Lleyton Hewitt put in as much effort as coach Tony Roche could have wanted; especially considering that he didn't have a full day's recovery from his 5 set match with Marcos Baghdatis. The first set was highly competitive. Hewitt was in fighting form, managing to dig out of a 0-40 hole at 1-2 to hold serve; and then promptly broke Djokovic the next game. The Aussie elation wouldn't last long, though. Serbia's Novak Djokovic earned the break back at 3-4 and then broke again at 5-6 to take the set. The Serb played solid tennis; had Hewitt been playing a lesser player he would have probably secured the first set.
Hewitt wasn't yet prepared to give up. At 1-1 in the second set, Hewitt broke Djokovic's serve again, but the Serb immediately found an answer and broke back. For the first time in the match, Hewitt started to show his frustration, banging a ball into the upper levels of the stands. It was at this point that unforced errors began to creep into Hewitt's game. He actually seemed to deflate on court, as his energy level ebbed. Djokovic was relentless; he made no mistake as he served out the set for 6-3.
As the third set started, there was palpable air of inevitability in the crowd. Hewitt was broken in the first game of the set and you could practically hear the sigh. “Not again”, it said. The Australian fans have been waiting since 1976 for a countryman to win the title again - and it would be denied another year. They still cheered for their man but they knew it was not to be. Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open without dropping a set. Next up for Djokovic is Spaniard David Ferrer.
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Did you know that... Nicolas Massu won a gold medal in both singles and doubles at the 2004 Olympic games.
ed251137, Aug 28, 2008 4:16 PM
agf25agf, Aug 28, 2008 1:21 PM
tenstar, Aug 28, 2008 11:06 AM
ed251137, Aug 28, 2008 9:39 AM
cherylmurray, Aug 27, 2008 3:10 PM
RocketQueen, Aug 28, 2008 8:28 PM
DejaBlue, Aug 28, 2008 7:05 PM
dusko82, Aug 28, 2008 11:33 AM
Novak Djokovic
Lleyton Hewitt
Australian Open
