• Gerry Weber Open

Heroic Hewitt shocks old foe Federer

ESPN staff
June 13, 2010
Lleyton Hewitt ended Roger Federer's perfect record at Halle with a brilliant comeback win © Getty Images
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Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt produced a brilliant comeback to beat Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(4) 6-4 and win the Gerry Weber Open in Germany.

Federer had won 29 consecutive matches as he secured five straight Halle titles from 2004 to 2008 but was unable to maintain his amazing record against the 2002 Wimbledon champion.

Hewitt, who came into the final having lost his previous 15 matches against the Swiss star, displayed all of his battling qualities as he dismantled the world No. 2's all-action game to seal his first grass-court title since winning at Queen's in 2006.

Federer's bid to win the Wimbledon warm-up tournament for the sixth time appeared to be well on track as he broke the Hewitt serve early in the first set on his way to assuming the advantage, but the Australian, playing at Halle for the first time in his career, hit back with an early break in the second.

The world No. 2 broke back immediately but Hewitt looked the brighter and drew level by winning the second set in a tiebreak. Clearly buoyed, Hewitt stamped his authority on the final set as he broke Federer in the first game and the world No. 32 never looked back as he closed out his second career win against the six-time Wimbledon champion on grass.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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