And that’s your lot for this one. Thanks for reading and so forth.
And that’s Lleyton Hewitt done at Queen’s, a tournament he’s won four times. “Obviously I laid it all on the line today,” he says, before thanking the tournament for giving him a wildcard. The crowd give him a big hand as he says lovely things about both the tournament and London. He’s presented with a trophy and a massive bottle of champagne, with his name written on it in what looks like rhinestones. Jazzy.
Anderson wins 2-1 (6-7, 7-5, 6-2)
3rd set: Anderson 6-2 Hewitt* (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
Hewitt gets annoyed with a line judge who corrected his own out call, but not enough to stop him playing a terrific inside-out forehand. Anderson counters that with his own splendid forehand, followed by a belter of a backhand return to set up match point...which he converts, as Hewitt is dragged all over the court and eventually puts a backhand into the net.
3rd set: Anderson* 5-2 Hewitt (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
Big serves, a couple of challenges, and a brilliant backhand right down the line by Anderson from a respectable enough return, and Hewitt will now serve to stay in the match.
3rd set: Anderson 4-2 Hewitt* (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
The first point of the game is a fairly lengthy one, but some people in the stands are still edging their way along to their seats from buying Pimms or whatever when Hewitt wins it. Anderson fairly hammers a few shots at Hewitt who comes to the net, walls a few shots back at him but Anderson eventually passes. Hewitt closes out the game, though.
3rd set: Anderson* 4-1 Hewitt (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
The helicopter returns, seemingly flying ever lower than before, but it seems to be annoying game-by-game bloggers more than the players. Hewitt digs out a splendid backhand down the line, then Anderson donates a break point with a backhand that goes long. Then Hewitt nets a big forehand in such a manner that causes him to scream what sounds like ‘NO WRISTY!’ - which would be quite interesting if you know what that means in Australian - but apparently he said ‘Rusty’, his nickname. A couple more big serves from Anderson and Hewitt’s chances of a break are done.
3rd set: Anderson 3-1 Hewitt* (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
A settler of a game from Hewitt, and you wouldn’t be hugely surprised if he still managed to come back from this. That said, Anderson hits a sensational cross-court forehand return that he slipped while playing and nearly did his ankle a mischief. Still, Hewitt holds for the first time in a while.
3rd set: Anderson* 3-0 Hewitt (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
In fairness, Hewitt didn’t really have chance to make any errors in that game, as Anderson’s serves were so good he could barely lay a racket on them.
3rd set: Anderson 2-0 Hewitt* (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
Anderson most certainly on top now. Whereas for long spells he controlled the points, it’s now Anderson, with Hewitt making some troublingly basic errors...including the one that costs him his third break in a row, putting a forehand into the tramlines. All going rather wrong now for the veteran.
3rd set: Anderson* 1-0 Hewitt (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
Anderson, perhaps emboldened by his second set win, storms into the lead with some whoppers of some aces. That’s 20 for the match now, to Hewitt’s, erm, one.
Anderson wins the second set 7-5
2nd set: Anderson 7-5 Hewitt* (*denotes server - 1-1 in sets)
Hewitt sambas into a 40-0 lead, but a couple of belting shots from Anderson - including one pearler of a forehand pass down the line - levels things at deuce, then a forehand goes a little long and it’s break and set point....and then another forehand goes long to secure the set!
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2nd set: Anderson* 6-5 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Wonderful shot from Hewitt, although admittedly served up on a dolly from Anderson, as he flicks a delicious lob over all 6ft 8 of Anderson at the net. However three aces in a row - that’s 16 for the match - then a service winner give Anderson the game, and now Hewitt will serve to stay in the set.
2nd set: Anderson 5-5 Hewitt* (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Hewitt serves for the match. He challenges a call on the sidelines that is overturned in his favour, gets himself ahead but then his ball toss goes all over the place again and he has to gather himself. Not all that well, though, as Anderson easily passes him with a big forehand. Break point, but it’s saved as Anderson puts a return into the tramlines, then Anderson makes a fairly basic error to set up match point...which Hewitt puts into the net, then double-faults for another break point. Weird game, this. A Hewitt ace is challenged...successfully by Anderson...then he forces the break with a powerful backhand approach. Well, well, well. Anderson’s first break of the match.
2nd set: Anderson* 4-5 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
At least Anderson’s serve is back on track. He serves out to love, but that could well be too little, too late.
2nd set: Anderson 3-5 Hewitt* (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
But what’s this? Anderson goes 0-30 on the Hewitt serve...before putting a relatively simple backhand long, and allowing Hewitt back into the game. A game Hewitt wins after a pair of shots into the net, and Anderson will now serve to stay in the match.
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2nd set: Anderson* 3-4 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Neither player has been overly keen on the idea of breaking serve thus far, but Hewitt sets himself up for one with a couple of superb plays, one a perfectly-constructed point to pull Anderson hither and thither before landing the decisive blow, then a brilliant cross-court backhand that whips past the big man. Anderson nets and we have the first break of the match.
2nd set: Anderson 3-3 Hewitt* (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
A delightful cross-court forehand leaves Hewitt flailing, but those moments of inspiration are too few and far between for Anderson at the moment. Hewitt discombobulates him in such a manner that he slips over on the turf, and for a moment it looks nasty but he gets up in time to lose the game via a shot down the line that floats long.
2nd set: Anderson* 3-2 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
The umpire tells the fans in the members’ area to keep their voices down, which is probably the only notable moment, a nice drop-shot and a Hewitt slide that almost goes very badly wrong, in a game that Anderson serves out to love.
2nd set: Anderson 2-2 Hewitt* (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Anderson seems to be getting into a pattern of putting Hewitt in some trouble then either throwing it away or allowing the Australian to scrap back. A case in point: Hewitt sends up a floaty lob that doesn’t have enough length on it, with Anderson near the net, and he somehow manages to hammer it into said net. It was almost impressive that he managed to get it down that quickly. Although obviously not because it lost him point and game.
2nd set: Anderson* 2-1 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Anderson. Big serves. Massive ones. Colossal ones. All over the place. He holds to love.
2nd set: Anderson 1-1 Hewitt* (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
Oooh, first break point for Anderson as he deploys some of that power on the Hewitt serve. However, he smacks a return into the net to make a schnozz of that one, then a backhand pass attempt goes the same way to put Hewitt ahead, before he eventually closes it out.
2nd set: Anderson* 1-0 Hewitt (*denotes server - Hewitt leads 1-0 in sets)
The helicopter is back - maybe that’s what was messing with Hewitt’s ball toss earlier. Like when John Hammond arrives and Dr Grant and Dr Sattler’s dig in Badlands, Arizona. Anyway, it doesn’t seem to interfere with Anderson’s serve a great deal, as he sends down a succession of blooters to hold to love. Two people try to get an ‘AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!’ chant going, but the rest of the crowd aren’t having it.
Hewitt wins the first set 7-6
1st set: Anderson 6-7 Hewitt
Hewitt goes 2-0 up in the breaker with a brilliant forehand and gives it the full CWWWWWWMMMMAAAAANNNNN with fist-pump on one knee. An inside-out forehand takes him to 3-1, a great wide serve puts him further ahead, but Anderson once more claws it back with some beefy serves. However, Hewitt sets up three set points by pulling Anderson all over the court, finishing the point off with a superb passing forehand down the line with his opponent at the net. Anderson saves the first couple, but Hewitt closes out the set and gives it the full Brett Lee ‘starting a petrol-powered lawnmower’ celebration.
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1st set: Anderson* 6-6 Hewitt (*denotes server)
A CWMAAAN is combined with a fist-pump as Anderson nets an inside-out forehand. The helicopter appears once more - perhaps surveying the tennis, and it watches Anderson recover from being 0-30 down to take us into a tie-break.
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1st set: Anderson 5-6 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
Hewitt is very much not hanging around, here. Another hold to love, and occasionally looks just like the old terrier he was 12-13 years back.
1st set: Anderson* 5-5 Hewitt (*denotes server)
The becapped Anderson sends down a couple bomb serves to nudge himself ahead, then a big backhand down the line and a textbook old serve-volley closes out the game. Serve-volleying, eh? Remember that?
Meanwhile, Anderson has a look of comedian Mark Williams about him. This chap.
1st set: Anderson 4-5 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
Hewitt gets the closest to bother he’s been in on serve, going 0-30 down, but gets out of the jam with a series of smashing serves, plus a nice repertoire of CWMANs. Lovely to see. Or hear. Still no cap, though.
1st set: Anderson* 4-4 Hewitt (*denotes server)
Hewitt is cooking a little here. He sets up a break point with a brilliant two-fisted backhand that just disappears over the net and Anderson can’t dig it from his toes. However, as ever, Anderson levels it with a massive serve down the middle, then moves ahead with another, before taking the game as Hewitt nets a fairly straightforward one. There was a shot in there when Anderson bent down for a backhand near his shins when you could almost hear every bone in his back screaming in complaint.
1st set: Anderson 3-4 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
And we’re back to the straightforward hold, Hewitt bustling his way to a 4-3 lead as that bloody helicopter circles again. Is there some sort of military base near Queen’s? Pipe down, squaddies, people are trying to play tennis here.
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1st set: Anderson* 3-3 Hewitt (*denotes server)
Well here’s a few more points against the serve - Hewitt gets lucky with one that lollops over the net cord, but combats Anderson’s power with some of the old guile, spinning and slicing his opponent into trouble in the form of two break points. The first is saved as a lob goes long, then Anderson pulls Hewitt all around the court as a helicopter flies fairly low overhead. Hewitt carves out a couple more break points, but Anderson saves them all to cling onto serve.
On cap-wearing sportsmen, here’s Phil Russell: “Allow me to set a very high bar by nominating the majestic IVA Richards from the world of cricket.”
1st set: Anderson 2-3 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
A briefer, more staccato ‘CMN’ from Hewitt greets a good forehand down the line, but he serves to 15. However, Anderson has him in trouble with some big ol’ power, one huge backhand in particular zipping past the old boy with some haste. Hewitt holds, though - only five points won against serve in the five games so far.
1st set: Anderson* 2-2 Hewitt (*denotes server)
Anderson is the only player out there in a cap, and he’s wearing it the ‘right’ way around. Not on, this. In an attempt to get a riff going, your nominations for best cap-wearing sportsmen, please. Baseballers don’t count, as they all wear them. Nick.Miller@theguardian.com or @NickMiller79, if you please.
Anyway, the game - Anderson holds to love, despite a couple of glimpses of the old Hewitt as he throws himself around the court like some sort of deranged toddler on a bouncy castle.
1st set: Anderson 1-2 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
Hewitt holds in possibly the easiest and most efficient hold you’ll ever see. Not a whiff of an alarm, and he closes out with a big inside-out forehand.
1st set: Anderson* 1-1 Hewitt (*denotes server)
Here’s Anderson serving from 23ft high or however tall he is, (6ft 8, officially), and the relatively diddy Hewitt has trouble getting on top of a fair few of them, as you might expect. He wins one point with the help of the net cord, then a couple of nets brings it to deuce. The down side of Anderson’s height, relatively obviously, comes as he has a few issues getting down to some lower shots, but he closes out the game with a lovely flicked top-spin forehand just over the net.
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1st set: Anderson 0-1 Hewitt* (*denotes server)
The first point of Hewitt’s last Queen’s is a winner, and greeted with a textbook CWWMMMMAAAAAAAAAN. He’s going early on that one. He serves out to love, even if the final serve does take a couple of attempts as he loses his ball toss twice.
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And we’re away. Hewitt will serve first. Still no cap, backwards or otherwise.
The players are out on court. No backwards cap on Hewitt so far. Will keep you posted on that one.
The game before this one on the main court at Queen’s is done, and Fernando Verdasco, having been a set and then match point down, has beaten Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 7-5, 7-6.
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Preamble
So. Farewell then, Lleyton Hewitt. The curious thing about sport is that those who play the game only exist when they’re actually playing it. Or, at least, they should do. Obviously the obsession with celebrity has ensured that we can now track every move a footballer makes, but certain figures only pass across our vision occasionally, and in a casual tennis-watching country as this is, people like Lleyton Hewitt stomp into vision once every summer, then disappear to whichever obscure outpost they came from. Or ‘Australia’, as it is in this case.
But this is the last time Hewitt will exist in this country, as a tennis player at least. He’s set to retire after the Australian Open next year, so this is his final go round the grass court circuit, gamely playing on over a decade after his prime years. He’s a little like a rock band of yore, who still have enough of a fanbase to make touring worthwhile, but everyone knows they’re not going to do anything new of any note.
It’s still nice, though, when they come around and play the old hits. So here’s hoping for a few last snarls, one or two final implausible run-downs and many, many more ‘CCCCMMMMAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNs’ in that cartoon Aussie voice of his. And, just for us Lleyton, will you wear your cap back-to-front, just once more? For old time’s sake?
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