Hewitt Overcomes Federer to Take Halle Title

Federer's start to the 2010 grass court season ran into problems on Sunday, when he lost the 2010 Gerry Weber title in Halle to Australian Lleyton Hewitt. The Gerry Weber Open was one of Roger Federer's favorite titles on grass, after Wimbledon of course, and the Swiss star had won 5 titles in a row here. So strong was his record here, that this was the first time in 6 years that Federer lost a match at this venue. In a best of 3 sets, Federer lost 6-3 6-7(4) 4-6 to Lleyton Hewitt, who was participating in his first Gerry Weber Open.

It was again a day of missed chances and bad play for Federer, the world number 2, and after a great start, it seemed like Federer just gave the game away to Hewitt. When play began, the Swiss star looked all set to win his 6th title at Halle, but this was not to be, as the gritty Australian showcased talent that had taken him to the number 1 spot in tennis a few years ago. Hewitt matched Federer shot for shot, at many times forcing the error from Federer. Uncharacteristically, Federer was also suffering on serve, and on grass that is a matter for concern indeed. Looking at his performance in Halle, it seems hard to believe that this is the same Federer that took the Wimbledon title last year with awesome serving. The 5th set against Andy Roddick last Wimbledon was testament to his powerful serve, and that was something missing at Halle. However, all credit goes to Hewitt, who at a year older than Federer fought his way back from a seemingly impossible position. At one stage of the match, Federer was leading 6-3, 4-4 and up 40-0 on the Hewitt serve, and needed just one point to break and then serve out the match. But the Australian never gave him that chance, and in an unbelievable turnaround, he took the second set, and an early break against Federer in the third. Up 2-0 in the third and deciding set, Hewitt definitely had the upper hand, and though Federer tried to break back it was just not possible. Hewitt took the third set and the title, becoming only the 2nd person to defeat Federer on grass in his last 78 matches. However, Hewitt was modest enough in his post match interview, saying, "It's fantastic, Roger's a hell of an opponent; his grass-court record speaks for itself. Any time you play Roger on a grass court you know you're in for a hell of a battle and I was lucky to get out of today's match." However, it was incredible tennis, and the fighting spirit of the Aussie, and not luck that won him the title.

For Hewitt, big serving, near perfect placing, and hardly any errors, saw him break yet another Federer run of 29 wins in Halle, and 5 titles in a row (Federer missed the 2007 and the 2009 tournament), and lift the Gerry Weber Open title. Post match, this is what Federer had to say, "I'm happy with the way I'm playing. It's unfortunate not coming through today, but I think my level of play is fine. This loss here doesn't worry me in any way. So, I'm excited about next week. And I thought it was a good tournament."

Though the loss might not worry Federer in any way, his fans will be wondering if this is the end of the road for Federer. In the last year or so, Federer has lost to many more players than before, and in key matches as well. His 2009 US Open loss to del Potro, his multiple defeats in the ATP Barclay's Finals to Davydenko, and key losses to other players on the tour seem to indicate that Federer might be reaching his sell by date. However, taken into account his records and runs and streaks of victory, it does seem natural that he must lose at times as well. Take for example, his loss to Soderling in the French Open. In 13 encounters, Soderling has won just one. His defeat to Hewitt tells the same story, in 17 matches Federer has lost just the one in Halle. It seems absurd to think that ANY tennis player can win all his matches. Federer has proven himself time and again, and no doubt he will do so this year as well at Wimbledon. But should he lose, here is a fact that might put it in perspective, Federer has won 76 of his last 78 matches on grass, with the only losses coming on Sunday to Hewitt, and in the 2008 Wimbledon Final to Nadal. He holds 6 Wimbledon titles and besides the loss to Rafael Nadal in 2008, no one has beaten the Swiss star at Wimbledon since 2003.

So can Federer prove everyone wrong and successfully defend his Wimbledon title? Though his grass court campaign has gotten off to the not so perfect start, Federer ups his performance in the Grand Slams, a fact that his 16 Grand Slam titles prove. And as he said after the final at Halle, the loss didn't bother him, and he thought his level of play was fine. All this makes for an interesting grass court season, and with the Wimbledon barely a week and a half away, tennis action resumes, and at the highest level. As always, stay tuned.