Hewitt is Playing Like the Hewitt of Old

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 13th January 2013

Hewitt is Playing Like the Hewitt of Old

epa03533071 Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina eyes the ball during a practice session at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 2013. The first round of the Australian Open will start January 14th. EPA/MAST IRHAM |

Lleyton Hewitt showed vintage form as he humbled Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1, 6-4 to win the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne. And the battling Aussie is hoping to carry that form into his opening match at the Australian Open against ailing seed Janko Tipsarevic.

The former No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner a decade ago, completed victories over three top 15 opponents at the eight-man special event at Kooyong, former home of the Open.

Hewitt’s current game belies his 82nd ranking, with the veteran hopeful of doing major damage as he begins play at his home major. “Janko is a tough first round – but there are not too many easy first rounds out there,” said Hewitt. “He’s a quality player who has improved a lot in the past two years.

“It’s nice to know I’ve done all the right preparation, I can just go out there and play,” said the battler who is a year removed from a second foot surgery which finally cured a lingering problems which had forced him to play in pain.

“I felt sharp, moved well. It was a good start out there. I’m not surprised at how well I’m playing. I’ve been training and hitting well and I’m playing as cleanly as I have in a long time.”