Skip navigation
Listen now:
NBC Sports: The Erik Kuselias Show

Tennis

ATP scores | WTA scores |  Video |  ATP schedule  |  WTA schedule   | ATP rankings  |  WTA rankings  |  Tickets

Hewitt blunts the power of Isner in upset win

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia celebrates defeating John Isner of the U.S. in their match at the BNP Paribas Open ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells /
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
updated 9:35 p.m. ET March 9, 2013

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt gave himself a welcome confidence boost by upsetting big-serving American John Isner 6-7 6-3 6-4 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.

Australian Hewitt, champion here in 2002 and 2003, made the most of the few chances that came his way after losing a closely contested opening set on a tiebreak at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The 32-year-old, who has played a limited schedule in recent years, broke the 15th-seeded American early in the second set and late in the third to claim victory in two hours 23 minutes.

"It's nice to beat a big name," Hewitt told reporters after ousting Isner, who reached last year's final at Indian Wells where he was beaten by Roger Federer in straight sets.

"John's obviously a tough match for anyone to play, and especially coming off a good result here last year.

"The last couple of years I haven't played that much, I guess. I missed this tournament through surgery last year but in the past I have always played pretty well here. I felt pretty comfortable today."

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Hewitt improved his win-loss record for the season to 6-4, his biggest disappointment a sixth first-round exit at the Australian Open in January, when he was beaten by Serbian world number nine Janko Tipsarevic.

"It's good just to know you're thereabouts," said the Australian, a winner of 28 ATP titles with the most recent coming at Halle in 2010.

"I feel like I have been hitting the ball pretty well in practice. Down in Australia I hit the ball well. I drew a tough match in Tipsarevic. It's just a matter of getting matches under my belt, as well.

"And obviously for me the priorities are the slams and Davis Cup. I try and pride myself on playing well in those matches."

Hewitt was delighted to be able to blunt the power serving and fierce forehand of the towering Isner, improving his record against the American to 3-1.

"You get a few opportunities out there to break, and you have to stand up and take your chances when they come," he said.

"I felt like I had more chances throughout the match. The first set could have gone either way, and then I dug deep early in that second set to get up. That was a big momentum change then.

"He was still dangerous, though, using his forehand a lot on my service games and trying to hit through the court. I was able to hang tough there, get the vital break and go up 4-3 in that final set."

Hewitt will next face Stanislas Wawrinka after the 18th-seeded Swiss came from a set down to beat American Wayne Odesnik 3-6 6-2 6-1.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Check for restrictions at: http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp

advertisement
More news
Image: TENNIS-ITA-ATP-WTA
Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images
Nadal bests Federer; Serena wins

Rafa Nadal made short work of his great rival Roger Federer to win the Italian Open, while Serena Williams took down Victoria Azarenka in the women's final.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia celebrates winning a point against John Isner of the U.S. during their match at the BNP Paribas Open ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California
Slideshow
Image: TENNIS-AUS-OPEN
  Scenes from Down Under
Check out the best images from the 2013 Australian Open.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: The Championships - Wimbledon 2012: Day Thirteen
  The best of Wimbledon
The best images from the Grand Slam tournament at the All-England Club.

NBC Sports

Video
  French Open 2012: Top 10 Shots
June 10, 2012: John McEnroe, Ted Robinson, and Mary Carillo look back at the Top Ten best moments from the 2012 French Open.
‘