Tennis News and Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th January 2014

Brisbane International Tennis Tournament

Tennis News and Tour Tidbits

epa04008746 Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a ball to Australian Lleyton Hewitt during their Men's final match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Australia, 05 January 2014. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY |

Roger Federer on what he learned from his five-set loss to former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in the 2003 Davis Cup semifinals: “I think it really proved to me that I could play great tennis not just for a set, two sets, but three sets or maybe even longer against the toughest guys out there,” Federer said of his five-set loss. “Lleyton at that point probably the toughest to beat in the best‑of‑five set match also physically and mentally. And for me to be able to not just do it tennis‑wise but physically and mentally gave me the big belief that I could hang with the best, and especially with him. . . Gael Monfils, who reached the final of Doha, withdrew from Auckland with fatigue. Sloane Stephens, Fabio Fognini and Nick Kyrgios pulled out of Sydney. As of Sunday afternoon in Australia, there were already 18 players who have to retired or pulled out in the 2014 season. . . US women had a banner Sunday in Sydney, with Lauren Davis, Christina McHale, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Victoria Duval getting through qualifying. . . Simone Halep on the one shot she’s most like to borrow from another player “Roberta Vinci’s slice, and forehand (of) Stosur, because she has a lot of topspin.” . . . Coach and analysts Darren Cahill was wowed by Agnieszka Radwanska during Hopman Cup: “Jumping sliced drive backhand down the line scissor kick with a ballerina left leg pump shot that sets up the break. Welcome to Aga’s world.” . . .

Topics: 10sballs, Agnieszka Radwanska, Atp, BETHANIE Mattek-Sands, Brisbane, Gael Monfils, Lleyton Hewitt, Roberta Vinci, Roger Federer, Samantha Stosur, Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Victoria Duval, Wta