Roger Federer vs Lleyton Hewitt – Reigniting the rivalry at 2011 Davis Cup Playoffs
Though it lasted for a short period of time, the fiercest rivalry at one time was headed between the two former world number ones, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt. However, the Swiss soon steamrolled the Aussie to take an unassailable
lead in the pair’s head-to-head. Prior to the upcoming Davis Cup tie, the two have fought against each other at the Halle Open back in 2010 when Hewitt conquered the grass courts to bag his perhaps last career title in three sets.
Overall, the two have played a massive number of matches against each other, 25. However, the Swiss has been the dominator with a 17-8 win loss record. Watching the two play each other is as entertaining as watching two gladiators
battling it out in the arena.
The two played their first match in 1999, at the Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon where the Aussie stroke down the Swiss former world number one in straight sets. So marked
Federer, world No.3, got his first break against the top seed then at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors at Basel beating the Aussie in the semi-final and in straight sets. The Maestro took over Hewitt for the second time in Miami Open
2002 before the sensational Australian mustered the legend in the next three head-to-heads.
The downfall of Hewitt started off in 2004 in the 4th round of the Australian Open at Melbourne when Federer came back thrashing the Aussie on the latter’s home ground from one set down. The Swiss former world No.1 then
recorded a reign off victory on the Aussie when he thrashed Hewitt the next 15 out of 16 times.
Counting out their 26th fixture, the upcoming Davis Cup 2011 tie, the two have played at almost every circuit there is in tennis and almost every Grand Slam or Masters Series there has been.
Comparing the two with their style of play, the Aussie has a more of a baseline player, also known as a counterpuncher. Usually the Aussie plays at the baseline during rallies; however, he approaches the net only to catch a short
reply or a drop shot.
Despite the fact that the former world No.1 is a baseline defender, Hewitt is has a master volley and is known for having top of the line overhead smashes. His signature shot, however, is the offensive ‘Top Spin Lob’.
On the other hand, the Maestro over came the Aussie in a very different way. Federer's flexibility was abridged by Jimmy Connors: "In an era of specialists, you're either a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist, or a
hard court specialist...or you're Roger Federer."
With that being said, it summarizes how well the world No.3 is. The only difference in the legend is that he was in his 20’s then and now in his 30’s. For this reason he has comparatively lost his stamina, however, Hewitt has significantly
improved his situation after he went way down in the ranking.
Nonetheless, whoever wins the fixture; it would be certainly a match worth a watch. The two are the main components of their teams and this win would certainly contribute and would boost up the team’s chances of winning the tie.
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