Wimbledon - Hewitt backs Murray to beat Roddick

Eurosport - Thu, 02 Jul 12:07:00 2009

Former champion Lleyton Hewitt has backed Britain's Andy Murray to overcome Andy Roddick in Friday's Wimbledon semi-finals.

2009 ATP Queen's Lleyton Hewitt - 0

Hewitt believes Murray is more than a match for the big-serving American and has improved since he defeated Roddick in straight sets in the third round here in 2006.

The feisty Australian also hinted that Roddick's game has hardly altered in the intervening three years.

"I think it's going to be a tough one for Roddick to win. When I've seen Andy Murray at his best, I think he matches up extremely well against Roddick," said Hewitt who lost a five-set thriller to Roddick in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

"A couple years ago I saw them play here because they were in my section, and Murray took care of him convincingly. Murray's a lot better player now than he was then. Roddick's going to have to play a helluva match to beat him."

Roddick is a two-time runner-up at Wimbledon and is desperate to add to his one Grand Slam title so far, the 2003 US Open.

However, Hewitt believes that the American's game hasn't adapted enough for the challenges ahead.

"His strengths are still the same. His slight weaknesses are still pretty much the same, as well," added the 2002 Wimbledon champion.

"He's maybe trying to stand up in the court a little bit more than he was a couple of years ago, especially returning serve and not trying to get dictated too much behind the baseline.

"He mixes it up well. When you've got a serve like he has he can take a few chances, a few risks on his opponent's service game."

Roddick refused to get drawn into a slanging match with Hewitt over his semi-final chances.

"That's fine," he replied when told of the Australian's opinion. "I'm not here to make predictions."

AFP

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  1. chris heath. What's your point? I think perhaps­ you're getting at something but forgot to mention­ it. The English language used in the posts is quite­ clear. What else? Perhaps Eurosport UK's penchant­ for blocking so many posts surprises you. I can only­ say that perhaps this is their British thing. In­ America, we're used to freedom of speech, but I­ prefer Eurosport UK because the blogger is­ controversial and provokes debate. You seem to align­ yourself with Wimbledon, thus, probably English. You­ say you're not a tennis fan but you are a fan of­ Wimbledon. That's OK. Still interested in what you­ have to say about tennis, so don't hesitate.

    From Hatsutking, on Thu 2 Jul 6:57PM

  2. Leave the hatred enjoy the match

    From Saurabh Datta, on Thu 2 Jul 5:53PM

  3. I don't understand a lot of these comments. Can any­ of you speak English and, more to the point, can any of­ you write in it? Would it not be more constructive to­ discuss the game at some point, instead of just making­ stupid personal comments about individual­ players?

    I'm not the world's greatest tennis­ fan (although I follow it in summer, especially­ Wimbledon). I am aware that Murray has made some stupid­ comments about the English (which he probably regrets­ now), but I'll still be rooting for him, because­ anything is better than the inevitable "Williams v­ Williams" that we appear to be heading for in the­ women's final!

    Of course, I am aware that Murray­ will be British if he wins, and Scottish if he loses­ and, in that respect, the English (and the BBC) need to­ grow up a bit as well.

    From CHRIS, on Thu 2 Jul 5:13PM

  4. I think Hewitt's right. Murray's game gives lot­ of troubles to Roddick. Roddick lost a couple of­ matches to Murray already and Murray improved a lot­ since then.

    From teapsky, on Thu 2 Jul 5:11PM

  5. i think hewitt is right roddicks game hasnt changed­ really ever since he joined the tour, in the beginning­ he came with loads of hype from his junior years and­ never really delivered, in some respects he was lucky­ if u can call it that when he won his 1 slam, hewitt­ was burning out and fed was just about to start his­ domination. i have always liked roddick but have to­ agree with hewitt, murray is the better player these­ days and should win, of course there could be an upset­ but it would be an upset if arod won. lets see.

    From ralph, on Thu 2 Jul 5:02PM

  6. Oh dear ! Jraykov Comment 10 another one jumping on the­ 'bandwagon of hate' please quantify your­ comment about Murrays behaviour being awful ? and do­ you need to be handsom to be a winner how steriotypical­ you dullard!

    From teeball, on Thu 2 Jul 4:36PM

  7. 17 you know ? i dont really think that leyton hewitt­ will read your post ? but !!!! you never know !

    From handyandyisalways, on Thu 2 Jul 4:24PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    sour grapes i reckon, come on roddick thrash him hard

    From handyandyisalways, on Thu 2 Jul 4:17PM

  9. Murray is scotish, not english

    From pablodcorrea, on Thu 2 Jul 4:11PM

  10. comment 33.... what englishman? he's scottish you­ stoopid fool! dont be classes us with the jocks from­ north of the border thanx!

    From jon, on Thu 2 Jul 4:05PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i think its great we have an englishman like Murray who­ has such a great chance of winning, its so good for­ english tennis !!

    go go andy !!

    From Christopher F, on Thu 2 Jul 3:58PM

  12. Comment 19 and 21. At the risk of repeating myself I am­ only saying that if Hewitt thinks Roddick isn' t­ good enough and he knows his game howcome he lost. As­ for the smug look it's my opinion and has nothing­ to do with the game. And you don't know who I am­ and what kind of tennis I play. So give me a break,­ will you.

    From Jimmy, on Thu 2 Jul 3:48PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hey Mr Hewitt,go back to Australia and just continue­ your
    'SOUR GRAPING" outhere,you have nothing­ to do more in London,but just to express your­ disappointment,blah blah.Pretty sure,if you just won­ the match against Roddick,pretty much certain,you­ won't talk like this about RODDICK,POOR BOY...

    From sue, on Thu 2 Jul 3:26PM

  14. Nice reply Roddck. You do your talking on the court. Go­ and give it your best shot cause nothing is certain.

    From achur o, on Thu 2 Jul 3:13PM

  15. Lol Roddick beat him, so what would his chances be­ against Murray. Sour grapes Hewittt...

    From christoffercirillo, on Thu 2 Jul 3:13PM

  16. And why is this an invalid comment and the ones about­ the playstations and the date sites etc. aren't?­ What's the matter with you, moderator?

    From Jimmy, on Thu 2 Jul 2:34PM

  17. correct: in his carreer

    From violet.smith85, on Thu 2 Jul 2:22PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Murray will out against Roddick:):):):) He won't­ win grand slam is his carreer! He is too less for a­ title!!!

    From violet.smith85, on Thu 2 Jul 2:19PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    please leave Lleyton alone!!!!:@:@ He's the best,­ so leave him alone!!!!!!

    From violet.smith85, on Thu 2 Jul 2:16PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ATS AW WEMONS METCHES THA DAIY. FACKAN NAE GUD. AW THUR­ MANAN OND SREAMAN.

    From JEEMS, on Thu 2 Jul 1:59PM
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