Nicolas Mahut outclasses Lleyton Hewitt to capture title – Hall of Fame Tennis Championships 2013
French wild card entrant, Nicolas Mahut, made an epic comeback from a set down to triumph over the fourth seed, Lleyton Hewitt, in a three-set thriller at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships 2013 on Sunday. He notched up a 5-7,
7-5, 6-3 victory against the Aussie to grab the crown at this ATP World Tour 250 series event taking place in Newport, Rhode Island.
The underdog displayed top notch skills and abilities to shock last year’s runner-up in two hours and 20 minutes. After stealing the show, Mahut bagged $78,000 in prize money and earned 250 Emirates ATP Ranking points as the champion.
“When you want to win a final, everything can happen. I just can’t believe it’s true,” said the beaming Frenchman in a post match presser.
The Frenchman is in great run of form at grass courts this season. He was ranked outside Top 200 almost a month ago but he lifted his game on grass. Mahut captured his first ATP World Tour title at the Topshelf Open last month
where he overpowered Stanislas Wawrinka in the final showdown. After capturing his second career title, the Frenchman cracked the Top 100 at the Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Rankings.
“A month ago I was playing to make the cut for the qualies at the US Open, I was [ranked] 240 with some points to defend. I told my coach, I have to play great on grass to make the cut for the qualies. A month later I have two
titles,” the high flying Frenchman commented further.
The former world number one, Hewitt, made a thunderous start in this match. He displayed brilliant defensive skills as he warded off seven out of eight breakpoints he came across. The Aussie availed two out of five break chances
and pulled out the opener with a 7-5 score line.
Mahut re-focused his strategy in the following set. He failed to fend off the only breakpoint he came across but cashed both break chances to grab the equaliser with a 7-5 victory.
Currently ranked 75th in the ATP World Tour Rankings, Mahut kept momentum rolling in the following set. He lost his serve once but capitalised on two out of three break chances, eventually sealing the decider by winning
six games to three.
Mahut was able to overpower the Australian veteran for the first time in their third encounter. He is now eyeing to carry his rhythm on hard courts.
Tags: