2 Responses to wb04federer_hewitt

1. Voo de Mar says:

   July 6, 2023 at 4:14 pm

   Points won by each set: | 26-16, 37-44, 30-14, 30-30 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   35 % Federer – 44 of 125
   25 % Hewitt – 26 of 102

   Fascinating match up on paper between the two best players born in 1981 faced each other, and at the time it seemed that one of them would be a ruler of the 00s, the defending champion (Federer) and the 2022 champion (Hewitt). Federer [1] saved a break point at 1-all and notched a 5-game winning streak. In the 2nd set Hewitt [10] was constantly in front and confirmed his advantage in the tie-break which he won 7/1 thanks to Federer’s forehand errors. The first two games of the 3rd set were crucial – Federer won them both as he required 3 deuces in each game (Hewitt had points to lead 2:0 instead). In the 4th set the Australian finally managed to break at 3-all having lost the previous five games when had created break point chances. The last three games took Federer though, at 4-all he had to save two mini-set points, both with powerful serves. On the first match point, Hewitt served twice with the same speed into the same spot, but twice the ball hit the net and stayed on his side.

   Serve & volley: Federer 3/9, Hewitt 0

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   July 6, 2023 at 4:37 pm

   In terms of the total points it was almost a copy of their 4th round match at the Australian Open earlier that year; in both matches Federer won sets 6-0, next time at majors (US Open final) the Swiss bagelled his peer even twice. It was obvious that he made an amazing improvement in the years 2004-05, actually in all departments of his game except the net-play which he neglected in those years while Hewitt was still playing the same regular, yet blunt tennis of thin margins. Federer won all his matches against the potentially toughest opposition in those years: nine times against Hewitt (6, 3), five times against Roddick (3, 2).

   # Comparison of their two four-setters in 2004:
   Aussie Open (4R): Federer d. Hewitt 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4… 2 hours 18 minutes… Total points: 123-107… Breaks: 5-1
   Wimbledon (QF): Federer d. Hewitt 6-1, 6-7, 6-0, 6-4… 2 hours 20 minutes… Total points: 123-104… Breaks: 7-1

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