Roger Federer falls to Lleyton Hewitt in a thriller
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After two notable results at Majors in 2001, Roger Federer made his ATP Finals debut in Shanghai 2002. Federer scored three round-robin wins, creating a perfect start at the premium ATP event and reaching the last four in style.
The young Swiss defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero, Jiri Novak and Thomas Johansson in his group, arranging the semi-final meeting against the world’s best player, Lleyton Hewitt. Two great rivals battled for three hours before the Aussie prevailed 7-5, 5-7, 7-5, sending the Swiss out of the competition.
Hewitt ousted Federer for the sixth time in eight encounters, working hard in all three sets and emerging at the top. World no. 1 saved 16 out of 21 break points, struggling in his games but reducing the deficit to stay competitive.
Roger played against 13 break points and experienced six breaks, including the crucial ones in the closing stages of sets one and three. Federer played aggressive tennis, hitting more winners but spraying almost 50 unforced errors.
Lleyton followed Roger’s pace in the shortest rallies up to four strokes, and nothing stood between them in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges. The debutant made a reliable start, securing a break at love in the encounter’s second game and firing a forehand down the line winner in the next one for 3-0.
Roger served for the set at 5-3 and netted a forehand on a set point. The Swiss hit a double fault to lose serve and experience a massive blow that would cost him dearly. The Aussie reduced the deficit and prolonged the battle before facing more issues in game ten.
Hewitt denied four set points, leveling the score and 5-5 and gaining a boost. Roger got broken for the second straight time in game 11 after a wayward forehand, falling behind but remaining competitive. Federer created two break points at 5-6, eager to extend the battle and reach a tie…
Source : tennisworldusa
