TNT Sports
Hewitt keeps dream alive
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Published 28/01/2005 at 13:01 GMT
It couldn't have been scripted better. In the Australian Open's centenary year, Adelaide-born Lleyton Hewitt became the first national to advance to the final since Pat Cash in 1988 when he blunted American Andy Roddick's power with a 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7
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Should the 23-year-old defeat Marat Safin in the title match on Sunday, television networks in Australia will be replaying the match for years to come.
Remarkably, Hewitt has never gone beyond the fourth round in seven previous attempts but made just 21 unforced errors to Roddick's 50 in a two-hour 54 minute semi-final.
Afterwards a fifth career victory in six matches over 22-year-old Roddick, a relieved Hewitt summed up his emotions.
"It's awesome. This started six months ago, maybe nine months ago that I started preparing for this tournament," Hewitt said.
Indeed, since capturing the U.S. Open series en route to the New York final, he has bulked up with a series of lengthy gym workouts.
"I put in the hard yards. I always said I'd do anything to play in the first night final in Australian Open men's history and I've got my chance."
Now, the Australian has a chance to emulate Mark Edmondson achievement of 1976.
"It's never routine playing a guy like Andy. He has such a good serve, mixes it up well and I had to try and weather the storm and wear him down in the end, and I think I was able to do that," Hewitt said.
"When I was able to get that break back in the third set I felt like the momentum changed, but it could have gone either way in the tiebreak and it was a huge tiebreak to win.
With two five set victories over Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian under his belt, the 2001 and 2002 world champion now has almost two days of recovery time.
Asked about his chances against Russian fourth seed Safin, Hewitt was respectful and complimentary.
"Obviously Marat's beaten the best player going around. He's obviously playing extremely well. He always plays well at the Australian Open," he said.
"I'm going to have to raise my game again, go out there and give it everything I've got and see what happens.
"I've hit enough balls. I've done all the hard work to get here. It's just about getting ready physically and mentally for Sunday now."
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