Davis Cup final on grass
September 30, 2003
AUSTRALIA's Davis Cup final with Spain will be played on a grass surface, Tennis Australia announced today.
. Captain John Fitzgerald's team will hope for a better result from the portable grass court which was used in the 2001 final when France beat Australia 3-2.
That court has been stored and maintained outside the venue and will be transported back to Melbourne Park and installed over the Rebound Ace surface at Rod Laver Arena for the November 28-30 final.
Fitzgerald believes grass gives his team its best chance of beating a Spanish team dominated by claycourters including world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, the French Open champion.
His confidence is supported by his team's Wimbledon records.
Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt was the 2002 champion there, fellow singles star Mark Philippoussis was a finalist this year and Todd Woodbridge has won eight Wimbledon doubles titles.
Davis Cup final
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Blanch
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CMMONNNNNN is all I can say to you Hewitt haters. This boy has pride in his country, he has passion for Australia like we do for the pies. You won't find any "heart muscle" injuries from Hewitt. He will give his all.
Love him or hate him, you can't deny he gives his all for Australia every single time he plays for the green and gold. Davis Cup lost status within tennis in Australia until he, rafter and the poo put it back into the "important events" category.
Go Spewy, kill these Spaniard buggers!
Love him or hate him, you can't deny he gives his all for Australia every single time he plays for the green and gold. Davis Cup lost status within tennis in Australia until he, rafter and the poo put it back into the "important events" category.
Go Spewy, kill these Spaniard buggers!
My oxygen is Collingwood. Without it I die.
All WA Magpies join the Western Magpies now:
http://www.westernmagpies.com
(At least go and sign the guestbook).
All WA Magpies join the Western Magpies now:
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molloymagic
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Its all Lleyton these days man!!!!!!. What about giving the other players in the Aussie side a mention to. *rofwl*. I think its great that he's a proud aussie but please,give the other members of the davis team credit. Or do we only have 1 decent player?.
ooops,i just re read some messages again and saw the poo's name there.
ooops,i just re read some messages again and saw the poo's name there.
Last edited by molloymagic on Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Jarrod Molloy
*'94-03:10 Gr8 yrs*
*169 Games* *'02 V.C*
*2nd in '01 copeland
*'94-03:10 Gr8 yrs*
*169 Games* *'02 V.C*
*2nd in '01 copeland
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Donny
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Warning: Scud will explode
By Leo Schlink - Fox Sports
November 19, 2003
DAVIS Cup coach Wally Masur predicts Mark Philippoussis - a surprise addition to Australia's Davis Cup practice ranks at Kooyong yesterday - is poised to explode in next week's final against Spain at Rod Laver Arena.
"I think Mark is going to really fire up next weekend," Masur said. "We're gonna see some fireworks.
"This is a surface (grass) that he really enjoys. It comes easily to him and he's got here as soon as he could after the Masters (Cup in Houston).
"He got off the plane and he said he was just going to have a light hit and an hour later he's still out there.
"It's very encouraging he feels this good, getting off the plane from San Diego. That's a good start."
Philippoussis was initially expected to ease the jet-lag out of his frame with a gentle workout. But he surprised and delighted Masur and team captain John Fitzgerald with a solid session as Lleyton Hewitt jousted with young Aussie Todd Reid on a nearby court.
"It was just a light hit," Philippoussis said. "Take each day as it comes.
"I just got off the plane, so I'm loosening up. It's good to get a sweat going.
"There's nothing to be over-confident about. Anything can happen as you saw against France. Obviously I'm very excited about being on grass."
Fitzgerald was satisfied after the first official session.
"I was pleased. The first day is always a bit tentative," Fitzgerald said.
"Mark worked up a sweat to help him acclimatise a bit quicker and I was pleased to see him practise for that long. It was good to see.
"Lleyton's been on grass for two weeks, he's hit a lot of balls already and he's timing the ball well.
"We'll try to single out a few sets for him this week. He had three straight today against Todd and won all three of them, so he's going OK."
Fitzgerald, stung by the 3-2 loss to France two years ago on grass, again warned against complacency.
"I was very wary of (Switzerland's) Roger Federer (in the semis) and that panned out to be a pretty close tie," he said.
"We are very wary of the Spaniards. They have an incredible amount of depth. They're a wonderful team with highly ranked players who've had a lot of experience at this level. So, under any conditions, they're going to be hard to beat.
"We think we can do it. We're here preparing, trying to get into a good frame of mind early.
"We're going to try to peak at the right time and win."
Todd Woodbridge will prac tise today after flying in from the US, while Wayne Arthurs is likely to make his first appearance at practice tomorrow.
By Leo Schlink - Fox Sports
November 19, 2003
DAVIS Cup coach Wally Masur predicts Mark Philippoussis - a surprise addition to Australia's Davis Cup practice ranks at Kooyong yesterday - is poised to explode in next week's final against Spain at Rod Laver Arena.
"I think Mark is going to really fire up next weekend," Masur said. "We're gonna see some fireworks.
"This is a surface (grass) that he really enjoys. It comes easily to him and he's got here as soon as he could after the Masters (Cup in Houston).
"He got off the plane and he said he was just going to have a light hit and an hour later he's still out there.
"It's very encouraging he feels this good, getting off the plane from San Diego. That's a good start."
Philippoussis was initially expected to ease the jet-lag out of his frame with a gentle workout. But he surprised and delighted Masur and team captain John Fitzgerald with a solid session as Lleyton Hewitt jousted with young Aussie Todd Reid on a nearby court.
"It was just a light hit," Philippoussis said. "Take each day as it comes.
"I just got off the plane, so I'm loosening up. It's good to get a sweat going.
"There's nothing to be over-confident about. Anything can happen as you saw against France. Obviously I'm very excited about being on grass."
Fitzgerald was satisfied after the first official session.
"I was pleased. The first day is always a bit tentative," Fitzgerald said.
"Mark worked up a sweat to help him acclimatise a bit quicker and I was pleased to see him practise for that long. It was good to see.
"Lleyton's been on grass for two weeks, he's hit a lot of balls already and he's timing the ball well.
"We'll try to single out a few sets for him this week. He had three straight today against Todd and won all three of them, so he's going OK."
Fitzgerald, stung by the 3-2 loss to France two years ago on grass, again warned against complacency.
"I was very wary of (Switzerland's) Roger Federer (in the semis) and that panned out to be a pretty close tie," he said.
"We are very wary of the Spaniards. They have an incredible amount of depth. They're a wonderful team with highly ranked players who've had a lot of experience at this level. So, under any conditions, they're going to be hard to beat.
"We think we can do it. We're here preparing, trying to get into a good frame of mind early.
"We're going to try to peak at the right time and win."
Todd Woodbridge will prac tise today after flying in from the US, while Wayne Arthurs is likely to make his first appearance at practice tomorrow.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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Lleyton's on fire
By Bruce Matthews - Fox Sports
DAVIS Cup coach Wally Masur believes Lleyton Hewitt is ready right now to go into combat against Spain.
Masur said the team must devise ways to keep the Wimbledon and US Open champion fresh, even ordering him to hit the golf course instead of the tennis court in the build-up to next week's final.
"The ball is coming off his racquet so sweetly. If we had to play this match in two or three days' time, Lleyton's ready," Masur said.
"Our biggest job will be holding him back and getting it right for Friday (week) because he has done the work."
Hewitt again emphasised his almost fanatical commitment to the final starting at Melbourne Park tomorrow week with a spirited two hours match-simulated practice session against team hitting partner Todd Reid at Kooyong yesterday.
The deposed world No.1 was even into a smattering of his familiar "c'mon" clenched fist salutes after blazing winners past the Wimbledon junior champion.
Despite not playing a match since his epic five-set win over Swiss ace Roger Federer in the Cup semi-final in September, Hewitt is the most advanced of the Australian players while the Spanish are yet to start preparations on grass here.
"A few people questioned his preparation and the bottom line, if you decide to take some time off and work, that's great. But you have to do the work. And it's pretty apparent he has done the work," Masur said.
"He's loaded up, he has done the lot. He has almost had like a pre-season. He has been committed to this tie almost from the moment he beat Federer back in September.
"He has been working consistently on certain aspects of his game on the court and off the court. He has been working with Roger Rasheed in Adelaide and I take my hat off to him. He has delivered him ready to go."
Masur dismissed concerns Hewitt may have peaked too soon, pointing out that captain John Fitzgerald and himself can pull him back in the team environment with Mark Philippoussis, Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs over the next week.
"It's fine. That's why a team environment is good because he'll also play some doubles against Todd and Wayne and there's different aspects of team training. He'll do things leading up to these matches that he wouldn't do at a grand slam. That's what keeps you fresh, there's something different every day.
"You take him to golf or do something else. Look, he really is very close to being ready to play. So that's pretty encouraging for us."
Woodbridge agreed that timing was critical to be performing at maximum level on the days that most matter.
"But if there's one guy who can cope with that, it's him. He doesn't dwell on much and he has the confidence to walk out and hit the ball well straight up," he said.
"I don't think it will bother him. The only problem is if you get a bit nervous, and he doesn't normally get nervous."
Reid was left in awe of Hewitt's power and placement still nine days out from the final. "He's really eager to win this and it's pretty tough out there. He's getting back every ball and pumping his fist even in practice. It's really something," the youngster said.
A 55-year-old record will tumble when Woodbridge walks on to court beside Arthurs for the pivotal doubles in next week's final.
It will be Woodbridge's 29th tie, bettering the previous mark established by the late Adrian Quist.
The 32-year-old can reflect on the prospect of setting a new mark in our rich Davis Cup folklore because he won't have time to be pensive when he and Arthurs take on the Spaniards on Saturday week.
Quist and his partner John Bromwich were one of the world's finest doubles pairs of the 30s and 40s and stirred Australia's Davis Cup passion by winning the famous silver bowl off the Americans on their home turf in 1939.
"Quist and Bromwich were the guys who started that with (Harry) Hopman. And to break those records, I feel very honoured and humble," Woodbridge said yesterday.
By Bruce Matthews - Fox Sports
DAVIS Cup coach Wally Masur believes Lleyton Hewitt is ready right now to go into combat against Spain.
Masur said the team must devise ways to keep the Wimbledon and US Open champion fresh, even ordering him to hit the golf course instead of the tennis court in the build-up to next week's final.
"The ball is coming off his racquet so sweetly. If we had to play this match in two or three days' time, Lleyton's ready," Masur said.
"Our biggest job will be holding him back and getting it right for Friday (week) because he has done the work."
Hewitt again emphasised his almost fanatical commitment to the final starting at Melbourne Park tomorrow week with a spirited two hours match-simulated practice session against team hitting partner Todd Reid at Kooyong yesterday.
The deposed world No.1 was even into a smattering of his familiar "c'mon" clenched fist salutes after blazing winners past the Wimbledon junior champion.
Despite not playing a match since his epic five-set win over Swiss ace Roger Federer in the Cup semi-final in September, Hewitt is the most advanced of the Australian players while the Spanish are yet to start preparations on grass here.
"A few people questioned his preparation and the bottom line, if you decide to take some time off and work, that's great. But you have to do the work. And it's pretty apparent he has done the work," Masur said.
"He's loaded up, he has done the lot. He has almost had like a pre-season. He has been committed to this tie almost from the moment he beat Federer back in September.
"He has been working consistently on certain aspects of his game on the court and off the court. He has been working with Roger Rasheed in Adelaide and I take my hat off to him. He has delivered him ready to go."
Masur dismissed concerns Hewitt may have peaked too soon, pointing out that captain John Fitzgerald and himself can pull him back in the team environment with Mark Philippoussis, Todd Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs over the next week.
"It's fine. That's why a team environment is good because he'll also play some doubles against Todd and Wayne and there's different aspects of team training. He'll do things leading up to these matches that he wouldn't do at a grand slam. That's what keeps you fresh, there's something different every day.
"You take him to golf or do something else. Look, he really is very close to being ready to play. So that's pretty encouraging for us."
Woodbridge agreed that timing was critical to be performing at maximum level on the days that most matter.
"But if there's one guy who can cope with that, it's him. He doesn't dwell on much and he has the confidence to walk out and hit the ball well straight up," he said.
"I don't think it will bother him. The only problem is if you get a bit nervous, and he doesn't normally get nervous."
Reid was left in awe of Hewitt's power and placement still nine days out from the final. "He's really eager to win this and it's pretty tough out there. He's getting back every ball and pumping his fist even in practice. It's really something," the youngster said.
A 55-year-old record will tumble when Woodbridge walks on to court beside Arthurs for the pivotal doubles in next week's final.
It will be Woodbridge's 29th tie, bettering the previous mark established by the late Adrian Quist.
The 32-year-old can reflect on the prospect of setting a new mark in our rich Davis Cup folklore because he won't have time to be pensive when he and Arthurs take on the Spaniards on Saturday week.
Quist and his partner John Bromwich were one of the world's finest doubles pairs of the 30s and 40s and stirred Australia's Davis Cup passion by winning the famous silver bowl off the Americans on their home turf in 1939.
"Quist and Bromwich were the guys who started that with (Harry) Hopman. And to break those records, I feel very honoured and humble," Woodbridge said yesterday.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Donny
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Forgiving Hewitt won't forget
By leo Schlink
November 21, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt may have forgiven Alex Correjta for inciting a baying Barcelona crowd into hysteria and hatred against Australia in the 2000 final, but he has not forgotten.
While Corretja yesterday attempted to soften memories of the ferocious clash three years ago by confirming an apology to Hewitt last year, the world champion said images of a hostile tie were "all in the memory bank".
Hewitt was subjected to the worst crowd behaviour of his career during a tie Pat Rafter described as his "nastiest" as the pair reflected on three days of relentless abuse.
Corretja, at Kooyong to prepare for next week's final at Rod Laver Arena, sought out Hewitt at the US Open last year to discuss the tie.
"Fortunately, we had a talk already last year at the US Open," Corretja said. "I introduced myself to him and I said, 'Listen, I do apologise to you if I said something that bothers yourself. And I probably should have come straight to you and said to yourself'.
"He accepted and since that day I believe we are in good conditions to talk and we say hello to each other and I think it's pretty fine.
"There was a lot of controversy in that tie. We spoke with the guys afterwards and I think now everything's calmed down."
Hewitt drew energy from the venomous Barcelona crowd to uncork a magnificent performance to down Albert Costa who, along with former captain Javier Duarte, also upset Rafter and captain John Newcombe.
"There was very little respect for the whole game and the tradition of Davis Cup," Hewitt recalled.
"I don't mind loud crowds and whatever, but in Spain they were just throwing stuff and carrying on.
"There's no doubt that Alex and Duarte, the captain, were both headlining the whole situation and built it up that way, talking to the media."
Hewitt revealed the extent of the Spanish propaganda blitz.
"We went to a restaurant in Barcelona and this Spanish guy goes 'Have you seen the newspaper?' and he translated it for me.
"The article said 'You've got to learn to hate this guy' and there was a big picture of me. That made me all the more hungry to go out there and beat Costa on day one, which I was able to do.
"Going into this tie, I've talked to Alex since then, but it's all in the memory bank."
Corretja, twice voted by his peers winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship award, displayed a different side to his personality in the lead-up to the final by isolating Hewitt as a threat to Spain's Cup hopes.
The Spaniard declared in Lisbon at the Tennis Masters Cup he did not like Hewitt's on-court behaviour, notably his gesturing and "C'mon cry", describing it as strange.
Corretja has joined singles contender and Cup debutante Feliciano Lopez at Kooyong.
Twice able to reach Wimbledon's fourth round, Lopez remains strongly in contention to oust Carlos Moya from singles duty.
Moya is expected to arrive in Mel bourne today, with Juan Carlos Ferrero due tomorrow.
By leo Schlink
November 21, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt may have forgiven Alex Correjta for inciting a baying Barcelona crowd into hysteria and hatred against Australia in the 2000 final, but he has not forgotten.
While Corretja yesterday attempted to soften memories of the ferocious clash three years ago by confirming an apology to Hewitt last year, the world champion said images of a hostile tie were "all in the memory bank".
Hewitt was subjected to the worst crowd behaviour of his career during a tie Pat Rafter described as his "nastiest" as the pair reflected on three days of relentless abuse.
Corretja, at Kooyong to prepare for next week's final at Rod Laver Arena, sought out Hewitt at the US Open last year to discuss the tie.
"Fortunately, we had a talk already last year at the US Open," Corretja said. "I introduced myself to him and I said, 'Listen, I do apologise to you if I said something that bothers yourself. And I probably should have come straight to you and said to yourself'.
"He accepted and since that day I believe we are in good conditions to talk and we say hello to each other and I think it's pretty fine.
"There was a lot of controversy in that tie. We spoke with the guys afterwards and I think now everything's calmed down."
Hewitt drew energy from the venomous Barcelona crowd to uncork a magnificent performance to down Albert Costa who, along with former captain Javier Duarte, also upset Rafter and captain John Newcombe.
"There was very little respect for the whole game and the tradition of Davis Cup," Hewitt recalled.
"I don't mind loud crowds and whatever, but in Spain they were just throwing stuff and carrying on.
"There's no doubt that Alex and Duarte, the captain, were both headlining the whole situation and built it up that way, talking to the media."
Hewitt revealed the extent of the Spanish propaganda blitz.
"We went to a restaurant in Barcelona and this Spanish guy goes 'Have you seen the newspaper?' and he translated it for me.
"The article said 'You've got to learn to hate this guy' and there was a big picture of me. That made me all the more hungry to go out there and beat Costa on day one, which I was able to do.
"Going into this tie, I've talked to Alex since then, but it's all in the memory bank."
Corretja, twice voted by his peers winner of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship award, displayed a different side to his personality in the lead-up to the final by isolating Hewitt as a threat to Spain's Cup hopes.
The Spaniard declared in Lisbon at the Tennis Masters Cup he did not like Hewitt's on-court behaviour, notably his gesturing and "C'mon cry", describing it as strange.
Corretja has joined singles contender and Cup debutante Feliciano Lopez at Kooyong.
Twice able to reach Wimbledon's fourth round, Lopez remains strongly in contention to oust Carlos Moya from singles duty.
Moya is expected to arrive in Mel bourne today, with Juan Carlos Ferrero due tomorrow.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
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Blanch
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FIRE UP Australia!!! Give these mugs the hostile reception they gave us - minus the ludicrous unsportsmanlike conduct.
My oxygen is Collingwood. Without it I die.
All WA Magpies join the Western Magpies now:
http://www.westernmagpies.com
(At least go and sign the guestbook).
All WA Magpies join the Western Magpies now:
http://www.westernmagpies.com
(At least go and sign the guestbook).
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Donny
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Hewitt ties it up
By Toby Forage - Fox Sports
November 28, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt has levelled the opening rubber of the Davis Cup final, roaring back to win the second set against Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The Australian had got off to a poor start, dropping the first set 3-6 to the Spaniard as the sunshine poured over Melbourne Park.
Ferrero got the early jump on the former world No.1, creating six break-point opportunities on the grass, and converting one when it mattered.
It was Hewitt's serve that let him down in the first set as he only managed to win 27 per cent of the points on his second serve and gifted Ferrero two points with double faults.
But Hewitt rallied in the second set, improving the serving and putting Ferrero under extreme pressure with fierce groundstrokes as the rallies developed.
It earned him a break point in the eighth game of the second set, an opportunity he duly grasped to allow him to serve for the set.
The Australian breezed through his service game, losing just one point, to take the set 6-3 and level up the tie at one set all.
Ferrero's change of fortune was further reflected by the fact he didn't create a break-point opportunity for himself through the 35-minute duration of the second set.
Australia is seeking revenge against Spain for the final of 2000, when the Spanish won on clay in Barcelona.
Proceedings got off to a controversial start after the wrong Spanish anthem was played at the opening ceremony.
Spain's Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo waved furiously and yelled from the stands as the pre-civil war republican anthem was played.
He was fuming at a press conference afterwards claiming the error was an insult not only to the players and Spanish delegation but to the entire nation.
There were rumblings among Spanish supporters in the crowd as soon as the pre-Franco anthem began but Australian captain John Fitzgerald quickly apologised to the crowd after learning of the mistake.
The correct current anthem for Spain was then played as the players - Juan Carlos Ferrero and Lleyton Hewitt - walked out on court for the opening singles rubber.
By Toby Forage - Fox Sports
November 28, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt has levelled the opening rubber of the Davis Cup final, roaring back to win the second set against Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The Australian had got off to a poor start, dropping the first set 3-6 to the Spaniard as the sunshine poured over Melbourne Park.
Ferrero got the early jump on the former world No.1, creating six break-point opportunities on the grass, and converting one when it mattered.
It was Hewitt's serve that let him down in the first set as he only managed to win 27 per cent of the points on his second serve and gifted Ferrero two points with double faults.
But Hewitt rallied in the second set, improving the serving and putting Ferrero under extreme pressure with fierce groundstrokes as the rallies developed.
It earned him a break point in the eighth game of the second set, an opportunity he duly grasped to allow him to serve for the set.
The Australian breezed through his service game, losing just one point, to take the set 6-3 and level up the tie at one set all.
Ferrero's change of fortune was further reflected by the fact he didn't create a break-point opportunity for himself through the 35-minute duration of the second set.
Australia is seeking revenge against Spain for the final of 2000, when the Spanish won on clay in Barcelona.
Proceedings got off to a controversial start after the wrong Spanish anthem was played at the opening ceremony.
Spain's Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo waved furiously and yelled from the stands as the pre-civil war republican anthem was played.
He was fuming at a press conference afterwards claiming the error was an insult not only to the players and Spanish delegation but to the entire nation.
There were rumblings among Spanish supporters in the crowd as soon as the pre-Franco anthem began but Australian captain John Fitzgerald quickly apologised to the crowd after learning of the mistake.
The correct current anthem for Spain was then played as the players - Juan Carlos Ferrero and Lleyton Hewitt - walked out on court for the opening singles rubber.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
-
Donny
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How gutsy is this bloke !!??
Hewitt was down 2 sets to 1 and claws his way back to 6-6 and wins the tie break, 7-0 !!
He has a break in the fifth set and steamrolling the #3 player in the world.
He just broke again and leads 5-2.
He wins it 6-2 and Australia win the first rubber. Amazing.
Hewitt was down 2 sets to 1 and claws his way back to 6-6 and wins the tie break, 7-0 !!
He has a break in the fifth set and steamrolling the #3 player in the world.
He just broke again and leads 5-2.
He wins it 6-2 and Australia win the first rubber. Amazing.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
-
Donny
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Hewitt clambers to victory
By Toby Forage - Fox Sports
November 28, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt needed all his bullish spirit to put Australia 1-0 up in the Davis Cup final against Spain this afternoon, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. 6-2.
The Australian No.1 had to fight back from a set down twice before beating his Spanish counterpart in an epic battle that lasted close to four hours.
In a fascinating battle that favoured both men in equal measure, Hewitt only managed to turn the screws towards the end, cleaning up his opponent in a fourth-set tie-break 7-0 before dousing some late Ferrero fire in the fifth and final set en route to victory.
Hewitt got away to a 3-0 lead in the final stanza before Ferrero clawed back to 3-2. But by then, the momentum had been well and truly lost as Hewitt just squeezed a little tighter to choke all life out of the match.
However, it was Ferrero who had Spain in the box seat for large chunks of the match as Hewitt made uncharacteristic errors, not least on his serve.
The Australian He served seven double faults to Ferrero's one through the first three sets, and struggled to win much on his second serve as his two-month layoff left him bereft of match form.
But while his looked rusty, his enormous heart clearly hasn't missed a beat, and after close to four hours, he was the one smiling while Spanish eyes were brooding.
0 Ferrero had shown signs of winning, not least in a see-saw third set, when he kept his cool in searing temperatures to blast his fifth and sixth aces as he served for the set.
Hewitt had already had to rally to win the second set, improving his errant serve to put Ferrero under extreme pressure with fierce groundstrokes as the rallies developed.
It earned the Australian a break point in the eighth game, an opportunity he duly grasped before serving out comfortably for the set 6-3.
But it was after the tie-break that Ferrero lost heart, and despite a couple of late surges, he couldn't muster enough to clamber over the Hewitt steamroller.
Mark Philippoussis plays Carlos Moya in the second rubber with a game perfectly suited to the slick grass.
If he can get Australia 2-0 up, the final could well be over barely before it has begun.
By Toby Forage - Fox Sports
November 28, 2003
LLEYTON Hewitt needed all his bullish spirit to put Australia 1-0 up in the Davis Cup final against Spain this afternoon, defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6. 6-2.
The Australian No.1 had to fight back from a set down twice before beating his Spanish counterpart in an epic battle that lasted close to four hours.
In a fascinating battle that favoured both men in equal measure, Hewitt only managed to turn the screws towards the end, cleaning up his opponent in a fourth-set tie-break 7-0 before dousing some late Ferrero fire in the fifth and final set en route to victory.
Hewitt got away to a 3-0 lead in the final stanza before Ferrero clawed back to 3-2. But by then, the momentum had been well and truly lost as Hewitt just squeezed a little tighter to choke all life out of the match.
However, it was Ferrero who had Spain in the box seat for large chunks of the match as Hewitt made uncharacteristic errors, not least on his serve.
The Australian He served seven double faults to Ferrero's one through the first three sets, and struggled to win much on his second serve as his two-month layoff left him bereft of match form.
But while his looked rusty, his enormous heart clearly hasn't missed a beat, and after close to four hours, he was the one smiling while Spanish eyes were brooding.
0 Ferrero had shown signs of winning, not least in a see-saw third set, when he kept his cool in searing temperatures to blast his fifth and sixth aces as he served for the set.
Hewitt had already had to rally to win the second set, improving his errant serve to put Ferrero under extreme pressure with fierce groundstrokes as the rallies developed.
It earned the Australian a break point in the eighth game, an opportunity he duly grasped before serving out comfortably for the set 6-3.
But it was after the tie-break that Ferrero lost heart, and despite a couple of late surges, he couldn't muster enough to clamber over the Hewitt steamroller.
Mark Philippoussis plays Carlos Moya in the second rubber with a game perfectly suited to the slick grass.
If he can get Australia 2-0 up, the final could well be over barely before it has begun.
Donny.
It's a game. Enjoy it.
It's a game. Enjoy it.