HEWITT SAYS “COME ON!” TO AAMI CLASSIC FINAL

Written by: Staff on 10th January 2013

HEWITT SAYS “COME ON!” TO AAMI CLASSIC FINAL

epa03529538 Lleyton Hewitt of Australia plays a backhand return in the second round match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during the AAMI Classic tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 10 January 2013. EPA/MARK DADSWELL AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Australia’s LLEYTON HEWITT demonstrated his mental toughness and durability at Kooyong today when he defeated world number 6 TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE) in straight sets, 6/3, 6/2, booking the first spot in Saturday’s AAMI Classic final. Hewitt said afterwards “It’s good to get a match like that against a quality player. It gives me a lot more confidence. I always give 100% no matter what I’m playing”.

Today’s opening match pitched big serving MILOS RAONIC (CAN) against IVAN DODIG (CRO). Raonic proved too strong for Dodig, winning in straight sets, 6/4 6/4. Post-match, Raonic said “I think I started pretty bad and just sort of got better. I just lacked a little bit of energy at critical points so I was a little bit lackadaisical at some points. And today it’s given me the opportunity, with the way this event is set up, to address that problem and I think I did”.

The final match of the day served up a see-saw three set contest between PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU (FRA) and SIMONE BOLELLI (ITA). A set down, Bolelli posted an impressive comeback to defeat Mathieu, 1/6 6/4 6/3.

First match tomorrow is the second semi-final between fan favourite MARCOS BAGHDATIS (CYP) and former US Open winner JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG), with the winner taking on LLEYTON HEWITT in Saturday’s final.

MILOS RAONIC (CAN) will play Italian FABIAN FOGNINI (2012 finalist in St Petersburg and Bucharest and ranked 47) in the second match, followed by PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU (FRA) against KEI NISHIKORI (JAP) who makes a welcome return to Kooyong.

On outside courts, Ketut, from AAMI’s popular ad campaign, will continue to make fans hot under the collar in AAMI’s interactive marquee.

Topics: Aami Classic, Kooyong tennis tournament, Lleyton Hewitt, Sports, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych