Hewitt Scraps Win Over Roddick to Gain Australian Open Final

Posted on January 28, 2005

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, against all odds after a five-set marathon quarterfinal win that included a dodgy hip injury, ground down Andy Roddick 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 in a match lasting just short of three hours.

Hewitt began slowly in the face of Roddick’s blistering serves, but eventually found his tenacious way into the match with pinpoint accuracy off the ground and his trademark hustle.

Roddick was angry at the lost opportunity on a good serving day that included 31 aces.

“I’m pissed off, you know, I’m mad,” Roddick said. “I felt like I was in there with a shot. To lose two tiebreakers like that, which either one would have given me a distinct advantage, it’s disappointing."

Hewitt is attempting to become the first Aussie to claim the Australian Open title since 1976.

“It’s awesome,” said Hewitt, the No. 3 seed behind the No. 2 Roddick. “I always said I’d do anything to play in the first night final in Australian Open men’s history and I’ve gotten my chance.”

Hewitt had previously never made it past the fourth round in Melbourne, and will now surpass Roddick at No. 2 on the ATP Rankings.

In the final Hewitt will face Marat Safin, who on Thursday edged world No. 1 Roger Federer in five sets.

“I’m going to have to raise my game again,” said Hewitt on facing Safin. “Go out there and give it everything I’ve got and see what happens.”