Hewitt levels match after Roddick draws first blood
American Andy Roddick today drew first blood in his Australian Open semi-final against local favourite Lleyton Hewitt.
Roddick won the opening set 6-3 in Melbourne as the second and third ranked players in the world did battle for the right to face Marat Safin in Sunday’s final.
A single break of serve was enough for the second seed, although he had to save a total of six break points, the last accomplished by hammering down three aces in succession – taking his total to 11 so far.
Roddick had dropped just one set on his way to the semi-finals, spending just seven hours 42 minutes on court.
In contrast Hewitt had been on court for 14 hours 38 minutes and needed treatment for a hip injury during his five-set victories in the last two rounds.
But it was the Australian who looked to be improving as the match went on, Roddick too reliant on his powerful serve as the second set headed for a tie-break.
Five of the first six points went against the serve and Roddick lost four of his five service points as Hewitt took it 7-3 to level the match, celebrating with his first trademark cry of ’Come on’.
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