Tennis

FOX Sports Exclusive

Hewitt still has that fighting spirit in him

Share This Story

foxsports admin

 
Updated May 24, 2009 6:53 PM ET
     
 
Just in case you wondered, Lleyton Hewitt is not about to creep away into oblivion. On a day of hot sunshine, large crowds and occasional drama that fully justified the French Open's decision to start its Grand Slam a day early, Hewitt battled back from two-sets-to-love down to beat a man he had never defeated before, Ivo Karlovic, 6-7 (1), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-3 in a duel that saw the giant Croat hit 55 aces. A British player, John Feaver, once hit 53 aces against John Newcombe at Wimbledon and lost, but this was even more extraordinary given that the surface was clay and Karlovic seemed to be heading for this third straight victory against the Australian when he won those opening tiebreaks. Hewitt — the one-time world No. 1 and Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion — admitted he had suffered a sinking feeling when he saw the draw because of his past record against the Croat. But after the match, he was jubilant. "Yeah, it's great because against a guy like him it's more of a mental battle to come back from two sets after losing them in breakers and, yeah, to hang in there and be prepared to go the distance." Hewitt said he suffered no repercussions from his recent hip problems and felt sure he would be fresh to meet Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev in the second round. Ana's back: For those who have watched sorrowfully as her brilliant form of a year ago fell away, it was good to see defending champion Ana Ivanovic return to Court Philippe Chatrier and fight her way past Italian Sara Errani, 7-6 (3), 6-3. It wasn't always pretty and Ivanovic had to fight hard to settle herself into winning mode, but she will be delighted with this win. Still, any thoughts of winning a second successive crown should be put on hold. Unknown opportunity: One of the benefits of a 128-player draw is that it gives unknown talent a chance to step forward and show what they can do. Josselin Ouanna did just that today, fighting back from two-sets-to-one down to beat the aggressive Spaniard Marcel Granollers 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1. This observer immediately warms to anyone who hits a clean, unhindered, flowing single-handed backhand and the young Frenchman does this with elan. His forehand is less reliable and it seemed that errors on that flank might lose him the match. But a big serve, banged down from his 6-foot-4 frame, kept him in the hunt and he showed as the duel developed that he could get in and volley too. Ouanna, who was born at Tours in the Loire Valley of Caribbean parentage, has not yet cracked the top 100 but, on this showing, he will not be long in doing so. He grew up with the Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—Gael Monfils generation and has been slower to develop, perhaps because he found it difficult to relax and give full reign to his fluent game. This win should boost his confidence and give France yet another player capable of heading for the top 30. Monfils is here! Talking of Monfils, the man who is never far from the headlines decided to end conjecture about his dodgy knees and hold a press conference to announce that he was fit enough to play and would do so. Surgery might be necessary some time in the future he said but this was Roland Garros — where he reached the semifinal last year — and it was not something he intended to miss. Robert's big day: The American story of the day centered on the unlikely figure of Robert Kendrick, the Californian born resident of Orlando who had only made one previous appearance at Roland Garros in a career that dates back to 2000 and had never won a match here. He has now. After 3 hours, 49 minutes out on Court 7, Kendrick eventually overcame German newcomer Daniel Brands 6-7 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (11), 4-6, 6-3. Huge, accurate, line-hugging serves helped Kendrick keep a grip on the fifth and he upped a gear on his returns at precisely the right moment to come up with some blockbusters off both flanks in an assault that earned him a break for 4-2. That was enough to claim a victory that Robert will find very satisfying indeed. Murray quick and efficient: Andy Murray's opener against the experienced Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela had been billed as "tough" and "difficult" by the British press. Fair enough, given the players' past records, but Chela is on a downward slide while Murray has just been elevated to world No. 3. He showed why, too, sending the spectators on Court Suzanne Lenglen off to their dinners on the crowded terraces of the Porte d'Auteuil in double quick time, running circles around Chela as he conjured up a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 victory. In Murray's corner, Alex Corretja looked on approvingly.

More Stories From foxsports admin



Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

Tennis Videos

Schrager: Weekend Recap Posted: Jan 30, 2012
Peter Schrager discusses the Australian Open and the Colt's situation surroundin...

Serena: I don't like sports Posted: Jan 04, 2012
Serena Williams discusses her dislike of sports and her untrained dogs

The Dan Patrick Show: Chris Evert Posted: Dec 09, 2011
Dan Patrick chats with Chris Evert.

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Mitchell & Ness Los Angeles Lakers #8 Kobe Bryant Gold Authentic Throwback Basketball Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/124407/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_124000/FF_124407_xl.jpg&w=100 259.95 Mitchell & Ness Los Angeles Lakers #8 Kobe Bryant Gold Authentic Throwback Baske..
    adidas Milwaukee Bucks #22 Michael Redd White Home Swingman Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Milwaukee_Bucks/browse/featuredproduct/141061/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_141000/FF_141061_xl.jpg&w=100 29.99 adidas Milwaukee Bucks #22 Michael Redd White Home Swingman Jersey
    adidas San Antonio Spurs Black Primary Logo T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Antonio_Spurs/browse/featuredproduct/172441/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172441_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 adidas San Antonio Spurs Black Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Lakers/browse/featuredproduct/172442/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_172000/FF_172442_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 adidas Los Angeles Lakers Purple Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Miami_Heat/browse/featuredproduct/173566/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173566_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 adidas Miami Heat Black Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Boston Celtics Green Primary Logo T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/173567/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_173000/FF_173567_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 adidas Boston Celtics Green Primary Logo T-shirt
    adidas Atlanta Hawks #15 Al Horford Navy Blue Road Swingman Basketball Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Atlanta_Hawks/browse/featuredproduct/178055/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_178000/FF_178055_xl.jpg&w=100 49.99 adidas Atlanta Hawks #15 Al Horford Navy Blue Road Swingman Basketball Jersey
    adidas Boston Celtics Green Primary Logo Long Sleeve T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/179331/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_179000/DS_179331_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 adidas Boston Celtics Green Primary Logo Long Sleeve T-shirt
    adidas Boston Celtics #5 Kevin Garnett Green Road Swingman Basketball Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Celtics/browse/featuredproduct/182418/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_182000/FF_182418_xl.jpg&w=100 59.99 adidas Boston Celtics #5 Kevin Garnett Green Road Swingman Basketball Jersey
    adidas Denver Nuggets Light Blue Primary Logo T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Nuggets/browse/featuredproduct/188059/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_188000/DS_188059_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 adidas Denver Nuggets Light Blue Primary Logo T-shirt
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft