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Hewitt pulls Australia level
London, Feb 07: Australia`s Lleyton Hewitt brushed aside Robin Soderling 6-4 6-3 6-1 to level the Davis Cup first-round tie against Sweden. Thomas Enqvist had earlier given the Swedes a shock lead with a straight sets upset of Mark Philippoussis.
London, Feb 07: Australia's Lleyton Hewitt brushed aside Robin Soderling 6-4 6-3 6-1 to level the Davis Cup first-round tie against Sweden. Thomas Enqvist had earlier given the Swedes a shock lead with a straight sets upset of Mark Philippoussis.
Elsewhere, America's Robby Ginepri, playing the first Davis Cup match of his career, beat Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-7 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-2.
And Andy Roddick beat Stefan Koubek 6-4 6-4 6-2 to put America 2-0 up.
During his victory, Roddick broke the record for the fastest serve in a match, hitting one at 241.3 kmph (150 mph).
Roddick previously shared the record with with Greg Rusedki at 239.7 kph (149 mph).
Hewitt equalled the Australian record for Davis Cup singles wins when he claimed his 24th career victory.
"The record was in the back of my mind but the main priority was to try and get us back to 1-1," Hewitt said.
Enqvist, the world number 78, beat a below-par Philippoussis 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the opening singles match.
The 29-year-old, a surprise choice as Sweden's number two singles player, said: "This is the kind of day you live for."
Philippoussis afterwards insisted the media speculation over his relationship with Australian singer Delta Goodrem had not affected his performance.
Davis Cup team-mate Todd Woodbridge and former coach Pat Cash both questioned Philippoussis' commitment to the game after he went out of the Australian Open in the fourth round. "I've been through a lot in my life, I've seen it before, it didn't affect anything and it's just unfortunate that something like that had to be brought up before a Davis Cup," said Philippoussis.
"I don't think that's the right thing to do."
Arnaud Clement put France 1-0 ahead against Croatia following his 6-4 6-3 6-3 win over Mario Ancic, but Ivan Ljubicic hit back for Croatia with a 7-5 6-4 6-4 win over Thierry Ascione.
In Agadir, Guillermo Coria gave Argentina the lead against Morocco with a 6-1 6-1 6-4 win over Mounir El Aarej.
Argentina then went 2-0 up when David Nalbandian's opponent Hicham Arazi was forced to retire with a thigh injury while trailing 4-6 6-1 7-5 2-1.
Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup debut for Spain ended in a 7-6 6-3 7-6 defeat by the Czech Republic's Jiri Novak in Brno.
But Tommy Robredo levelled the tie, battling for over three hours before beating Radek Stepanek 7-5 3-6 7-6 7-6.
Igor Andreev took the opening point for Russia after Belarus' Vladimir Voltchkov had to retire with a twisted ankle with the match poised at 6-7 7-6 5-7 4-4.
And Andy Roddick beat Stefan Koubek 6-4 6-4 6-2 to put America 2-0 up.
During his victory, Roddick broke the record for the fastest serve in a match, hitting one at 241.3 kmph (150 mph).
Roddick previously shared the record with with Greg Rusedki at 239.7 kph (149 mph).
Hewitt equalled the Australian record for Davis Cup singles wins when he claimed his 24th career victory.
"The record was in the back of my mind but the main priority was to try and get us back to 1-1," Hewitt said.
Enqvist, the world number 78, beat a below-par Philippoussis 6-3 6-4 6-2 in the opening singles match.
The 29-year-old, a surprise choice as Sweden's number two singles player, said: "This is the kind of day you live for."
Philippoussis afterwards insisted the media speculation over his relationship with Australian singer Delta Goodrem had not affected his performance.
Davis Cup team-mate Todd Woodbridge and former coach Pat Cash both questioned Philippoussis' commitment to the game after he went out of the Australian Open in the fourth round. "I've been through a lot in my life, I've seen it before, it didn't affect anything and it's just unfortunate that something like that had to be brought up before a Davis Cup," said Philippoussis.
"I don't think that's the right thing to do."
Arnaud Clement put France 1-0 ahead against Croatia following his 6-4 6-3 6-3 win over Mario Ancic, but Ivan Ljubicic hit back for Croatia with a 7-5 6-4 6-4 win over Thierry Ascione.
In Agadir, Guillermo Coria gave Argentina the lead against Morocco with a 6-1 6-1 6-4 win over Mounir El Aarej.
Argentina then went 2-0 up when David Nalbandian's opponent Hicham Arazi was forced to retire with a thigh injury while trailing 4-6 6-1 7-5 2-1.
Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup debut for Spain ended in a 7-6 6-3 7-6 defeat by the Czech Republic's Jiri Novak in Brno.
But Tommy Robredo levelled the tie, battling for over three hours before beating Radek Stepanek 7-5 3-6 7-6 7-6.
Igor Andreev took the opening point for Russia after Belarus' Vladimir Voltchkov had to retire with a twisted ankle with the match poised at 6-7 7-6 5-7 4-4.
But Max Mirnyi edged out Marat Safin 7-6 7-6 1-6 4-6 11-9 to bring hosts Belarus back level at 1-1.
Romania's Andrei Pavel defeated Switzerland's Michel Kratochvil in four sets but world number one Roger Federer proved his class with a straight sets 7-6 6-3 6-1 win over Victor Hanescu.
And the Netherlands put Canada under intense pressure as they moved into a 2-0 lead thanks to win from Sjeng Schalken and Martin Verkerk.
Bureau Report