2011 Kooyong Classic: Lleyton Hewitt beats Gael Monfils to bag his 29th singles title
Australian Lleyton Hewitt won the 2011 Kooyong Classic title after posting a two setter victory on Saturday. Former World number 1 clinched the crown, knocking out his French opponent Gael Monfils in straight sets. The score line
was 7-5, 6-3 and the battle concluded in a time period of eighty nine minutes.
Hewitt who was making his debut at the Kooyong Classic, as a result of this victory, has picked up his 29th singles title on the tour.
The 29-year-old, in his today’s final battle against Monfils, did well to quickly earn a lead in the opening set. He broke serve to take a lead of 2-0, however, Monfils wasted no time and bounced back strongly in the following
game. The Australian further improved his game and once again pushed his opponent back by going ahead 3-1 in his second straight service break and held to stay on top at 4-1. He eventually sealed the set after fifty two minutes of play with a passing shot.
There was an interesting shift of momentum throughout the opening set as the Australian after starting off strongly lost his focus and collapsed in the middle when Monfils put up a good fight to make a comeback into the match.
Hewitt also missed three points in the opening set, however, he did well in the end to emerge victorious.
In the decisive set, Monfils after losing the opener started off well by breaking in the first game, however, he slowed down as a result of his back injury. Hewitt, on the other hand took full advantage of the situation as Monfils
double faulted before losing the match in the end.
Both the contenders traded breaks in the decisive set, however, it was former World number 1 Hewitt who clinched the victory.
This win will also serve as a huge confidence booster for Hewitt, ahead of the Australian Open starting next week in Melbourne. The Australian will open his account at the season opening major event against former World number
3, David Nalbandian of Argentine.
Nalbandian is also coming off his runner up appearance at the Auckland Open this week where he was eventually crushed at the hands of top seed David Ferrer of Spain.
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