Hewitt upsets Federer to snap title drought
BRISBANE, Australia — With the Fanatics in bright yellow and raucously chanting for Lleyton Hewitt to stay on top of Roger Federer, the Brisbane International final had the surreal feel of a journey back in time.
It wouldn’t have seemed out of context a decade ago, when Hewitt spent 80 weeks atop the tennis rankings and Federer was yet to win a Grand Slam title.
But Hewitt’s 6- 1, 4- 6, 6- 3 win Sunday over his longest- standing rival on tour was clearly an upset, and delivered him his first title since 2010.
The 32- year- old former No. 1s have met 27 times dating back to 1999, and Hewitt has now improved his record to nine wins against the 17- time Grand Slam champion.
Federer was broken three times and committed 22 unforced errors in the first set, making some uncharacteristically basic mistakes including an air swing and two shanked forehands. He recovered in the second set and then had breakpoint chances in Hewitt’s first three service games in the deciding set, but couldn’t get the vital breakthrough when he needed it most.
“The way you tough it out ... congratulations,” Federer said in a courtside interview. He added later that Hewitt did “a good job hanging around.”
“But I should have taken advantage already earlier, so I have some regrets. It’s unfortunately one of those matches that got away from me.”
In the men’s doubles event, Toronto’s Daniel Nestor and partner Mariusz Fyrstenberg came back from a set down to defeat Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah of Colombia 6- 7( 4), 6- 4, 10- 7.
The victory gives Nestor his 82nd career ATP World Tour trophy, and marks the 21st consecutive season in which the 41- year- old has captured at least one title. It also brings his record in finals to 82- 53.
Hewitt received the trophy from Australian great Rod Laver, a regular at the Australian Open final presentations involving Federer over the years.
“It’s been a while since I won a trophy. For me to get it from you really means a lot,” Hewitt said.