Federer survives Hewitt scare, wins 37th consecutive match at Open

Playing against a long-time rival that he’s been battling since his youth, Federer overcame a sluggish first set to defeat former US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

The five time defending champion made 59 unforced errors (compared to 51 winners) and only converted 54% of his first serves, well below his season average of 62%. But when push came to shove, Federer shoved back to advance to the 4^th round of the Open for the 7^th consecutive year.

Hewitt came into the match with nothing to lose, having lost his previous 13 matches to Federer, and he played with that kind of spirit in the first set, taking it 6-4. Federer was extremely rusty in the first set, making 23 unforced errors and doing a poor job at the net (4 for 11). Hewitt served extremely well on his serve in the first couple of sets, but it really let him down in the last two, serving well under 50%.

The second set was routine for Federer, breaking Hewitt in the 4^th game and saving the only break point against his serve in the final game of the set.

Hewitt did not go away, immediately pressuring Federer with 4 break point chances in Federer’s first two service games of the third set. But when Hewitt did not capitalize on any of those break point opportunities, he began to show visual frustration for the first time in the match. He was able to fight off two break points at 4-4, but he could not fend off Federer in the 11^th game, as Hewitt was broken on forehand that sailed well over the baseline. Federer finally won the set one on of the best exchanges of the match, retrieving a Hewitt topspin lob to get back in the point, which he eventually won on a forehand pass.

The fourth set was more of the vintage Federer we are accustomed to at Flushing Meadows. Hitting his ground strokes with more depth, pace and precision, Federer broke Hewitt immediately to open the set and got the insurance break to go op 4-1. Federer would lose his serve at 5-2, but it didn’t matter. Federer held to 15 in his next service game, finally winning the match on a Hewitt mishit.

And on goes Federer, as his march for history continues.

Notes and Match Stats

· The win was Federer’s 14^th straight against Hewitt. Hewitt has not beaten Federer since 2003.

· Federer improved to 16-7 all time vs. Hewitt

· The match took 2 hrs, 33 min.

· Break Point Chances: Fed – 5/11 Hewitt – 3/14

· Winners/Unforced errors: Fed – 59/51 Hewitt – 26/37

· Net Points Won: Federer – 28 of 42 (67%) Hewitt – 22 of 32 (69%)

· Aces: Fed – 15 Hewitt – 5