I didn't see any of Hewitt's matches. I read that against Rafa he was taking the ball very early and trying to be super aggressive. I suppose if he did that and managed to execute perfectly I can see how he would take a set off Nadal, but no doubt he couldn't keep it up for 3 sets.
Didn't Lleyton take a set off Rafa at the FO last year too? Technically there's no reason why Hewitt can't be a good player on clay, it's just never come together for him. Suppose you've just got to give him credit for a really good week. Maybe he's coming back to the boil in time for the grass.
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Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive.... those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience
Not thought of as a particularly good clay courter.
Erm, twice a quarterfinalist at Roland Garros and 3 times in the R16. His last 5 losses have been to Nadal (eventual champion), Gaudio (eventual champion). Robredo, Canas, Ferrero. He's not exactly Roddick on the surface. He'd also made the semis of Hamburg twice before this year, and the semis of Rome.
You know, I always thought that Hewitt would have won an RG or two had he trained in Spain as a kid.
In any case, it's good to see that he is getting back to his old self. Don't know if he'll be a Slam contender ever again with Murray and Djokovic coming up, but I think that he can get to Shanghai this year. He defends a lot from the Slams, but almost nothing from the Masters, so it's possible. But he tends to get injured too often.
