Lleyton Hewitt upset Roger Federer 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to win the Brisbane International 2014 title.
Federer was broken three times and committed 22 unforced errors in the first set, making some uncharacteristically basic mistakes including an air swing and two shanked forehands.
He recovered in the second set and had breakpoint chances in Hewitt's first three service games in the deciding set, but couldn't get the vital breakthrough when he needed it most.
"The way you tough it out ... congratulations," Federer said. "I would have loved to have won the title, but Lleyton was better than me today."
"It's been a while since I won a trophy. For me to get it from you really means a lot," Hewitt said. "I don't need to congratulate Roger, he gets congratulated every week when he's up here for finals!"
Hewitt's ranking was projected to reach the low 40s with a win. He finished last season at No. 61 in another disrupted season after toe, foot, hand, hip and back injuries kept him off the tour for long periods between 2007 and the start of 2013.
"We've been through a rough four of five years, five different surgeries, it's been tough," Hewitt said, thanking his support group and paying tribute to his wife and three children.
The Aussie only lost one point on serve in the first set, made just three unforced errors and secured it on his fifth set point in 27 minutes. He faced break point in the fifth game of the second set but saved it with a lunging, angled backhand volley and held for a 3-2 lead.
Federer fended off a breakpoint to hold at 4-4 in the second set and then rallied from 40-love to break Hewitt in the next game. He took the second set with three aces and a rifling inside-out forehand winner.
Hewitt fended off four break opportunities in the opening game of the third set that lasted more than 10 minutes, and again faced break points in his next service game.
But just when Federer seemed to getting the upper hand, Hewitt broke for a 3-1 lead. Federer made a misjudgment when he left one of Hewitt's groundstrokes at 15-15 that landed well inside the baseline and the momentum turned from there.
Source AP
Pic: AP Photo/Tertius Pickard
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