SPORTS> Photo
|
SPORTS> Photo
|
|
Related
Roddick slumps out, Oudin keeps the dream alive
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-06 15:30 INSPIRED DISPLAY But the scorching conditions on Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Hewitt's inspired display, soon woke up top seed Federer. It was not long before Hewitt's role turned into that of an admiring spectator as the world number one flashed and flicked away an array of spell-binding winners to seal victory. "With a great streak I have against him, I knew that if I get back into the match then I could get back on a roll because I've had it so many times against him," said Federer, who allowed Hewitt to convert only three of his 14 break points. Being on a roll is something Witten -- whose bulky frame suggests he would not look out of place on a rugby pitch -- had never experienced before this week. Struggling to make ends meet on the lower echelons of tennis the 26-year-old came close to quitting the sport earlier this year. Things went from bad to worse on the eve of the Open as he became a victim of the global credit crunch when he was dropped by his clothing sponsor. But handed a wildcard into the qualifying draw here, the 276th ranked Witten has made the most of his opportunity to get some free laundry done at the expense of U.S. Open organisers. Domestic chores aside, for over an hour he responded to the rhythmic chants of "Jess-ie, Jess-ie" ringing around Louis Armstrong Stadium as he tormented a racket-bashing Djokovic. In the end, he did not have the firepower to subdue the Serb, who applauded Witten's heroics before telling the crowd: "It was hard to tell who was the number four player out there." "Once I started playing... you don't really think of the rankings. You're thinking strategy more than numbers," said Witten, who had to request almost two dozen tickets from the organisers to satisfy the demands of his friends and family. Despite his defeat, Witten hoped the biggest payday of his career -- $48,000 for reaching the last 32 - will allow him to prolong his career for "at least the rest of the year."
|
