Three-set stunner
Unheralded Hewitt, 17, upsets 13th seed Pioline
Posted: Tuesday January 19, 1999 10:17 AM
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Hewitt got his first Grand Slam victory at the expense of Cedric Pioline AP |
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Teenage wildcard Lleyton Hewitt added Cedric Pioline to an impressive list of conquests, including Pat Rafter and Andre Agassi, when he thrashed the French No.13 at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Hewitt outran and overpowered the former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist 6-3, 6-1, 6-1.
"I don't think anyone wants to get beaten by a 17-year-old wild card in a Grand Slam, so maybe there's a bit more pressure on them," a humble Hewitt said.
The victory, his first in two matches at Grand Slam level, followed up his final appearance in the AAPT Championships and victory over Pat Rafter at last week's Adidas International.
Last year Hewitt won the AAPT event in Adelaide by beating Agassi along the way.
Pioline was simply swept aside by the fast-chasing 17-year-old, who was ranked No. 113 at the end of last year and 101 after his two tournaments so far this year.
Pioline is a seasoned pro, having started his Grand Slam career in 1989. He played in the 1997 Wimbledon final and the 1993 U.S. Open final. Hewitt lost hs only previous matches, in the first
round here in 1997 and last year.
Pioline has lost his past three opening round matches at Grand Slam level -- at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and now here.
"That's life," Pioline said. "He played a good match and made everything he wanted. I thought the guy would calm down, but he never did."
Included in Hewitt's array of shots was an extraordinary winner in the third set. He dived across court and the ball hit his racket, spinning up and over the net.
"I saw the ball going up and I thought `this has a got chance.' I don't know how I did that to tell you the truth. I can't take credit for it."
Hewitt, who plays with his baseball cap turned around and looks like he's just jumped off a skateboard, has been warmly embraced by home fans because of his spirited play.
"I'm feeling great out there at the moment," Hewitt said.
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