Ivanovic exits as Federer-Hewitt line up battle of champions
By
IANS
London: Roger Federer will line up an overwhelmingly winning record against Lleyton Hewitt in the Wimbledon fourth round, while women's top seed Ana Ivanovic will be booking a flight home after a Friday upset loss.
Federer leads Hewitt 13-7 in their series, winning the last 11 matches dating to the Davis semi-finals in 2003.
Ivanovic, the Basle, Switzerland-based French Open champion from Serbia, was rocked in a pre-Olympic shocker as Zheng Jie gave China a taste of possible Beijing success with a 6-1, 6-4 result.
The number 133 in singles who won the Wimbledon doubles crown with compatriot Yan Zi in 2006, stunned the Serb less than three weeks after the new world number one claimed the Paris title.
The 17 unforced errors from Ivanovic left her heading home 24 hours after number 154 Alla Kudryavtseva upset third seed and 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.
"This might be my last tournament before the Olympics," said the Chinese winner, playing on a wild card after injury in 2007. "I need to go back to the Beijing for be ready for play the Olympics.
"This is a surprise for me, she's number one so I just tried my best. I told myself to keep going, keep going."
Federer and Hewitt both defied rain delays with straight-set victories to set up a Monday clash of Wimbledon powerhouse players.
Top seed Federer stepped up the tempo after starting 90 minutes late, reaching the fourth round 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 over Marc Gicquel.
Hewitt, the last man to win the All England Club title before the current run of five straight from the Swiss star, overwhelmed Italian Simone Bolelli 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).
"I got broken in the first game, and with the rain looming around, maybe they weren't the best conditions," said Federer, winner of his last 37 matches at Wimbledon and five time champion.
"I played a good match today, and I'm obviously very excited to play again Monday.
"It's always a challenge playing Lleyton. He's a great player, a guy I really enjoy watching, as well. He's a great competitor."
Hewitt is battling a hip problem this season and was pleased to go through without a major struggle.
"I'm going to have to play extremely well, whether my absolute best, I don't know. A lot depends on how he plays, as well."
Ivanovic was still trying to comprehend her ambush by Jie. "She played really well today, It was tough match for me," said the seed who saved two match points to escape a potential upset in the second round against Nathalie Dechy.
"I'm definitely disappointed with my loss. But still I look at it as a learning experience."
The rush of recent events played a role on the day.
"From the first match on, I tried to find my game on grass," Ivanovic said after skipping any grass warm-up events. "It was very, very emotional past couple of weeks for me.
Federer leads Hewitt 13-7 in their series, winning the last 11 matches dating to the Davis semi-finals in 2003.
Ivanovic, the Basle, Switzerland-based French Open champion from Serbia, was rocked in a pre-Olympic shocker as Zheng Jie gave China a taste of possible Beijing success with a 6-1, 6-4 result.
The number 133 in singles who won the Wimbledon doubles crown with compatriot Yan Zi in 2006, stunned the Serb less than three weeks after the new world number one claimed the Paris title.
The 17 unforced errors from Ivanovic left her heading home 24 hours after number 154 Alla Kudryavtseva upset third seed and 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.
"This might be my last tournament before the Olympics," said the Chinese winner, playing on a wild card after injury in 2007. "I need to go back to the Beijing for be ready for play the Olympics.
"This is a surprise for me, she's number one so I just tried my best. I told myself to keep going, keep going."
Federer and Hewitt both defied rain delays with straight-set victories to set up a Monday clash of Wimbledon powerhouse players.
Top seed Federer stepped up the tempo after starting 90 minutes late, reaching the fourth round 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 over Marc Gicquel.
Hewitt, the last man to win the All England Club title before the current run of five straight from the Swiss star, overwhelmed Italian Simone Bolelli 6-1, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).
"I got broken in the first game, and with the rain looming around, maybe they weren't the best conditions," said Federer, winner of his last 37 matches at Wimbledon and five time champion.
"I played a good match today, and I'm obviously very excited to play again Monday.
"It's always a challenge playing Lleyton. He's a great player, a guy I really enjoy watching, as well. He's a great competitor."
Hewitt is battling a hip problem this season and was pleased to go through without a major struggle.
"I'm going to have to play extremely well, whether my absolute best, I don't know. A lot depends on how he plays, as well."
Ivanovic was still trying to comprehend her ambush by Jie. "She played really well today, It was tough match for me," said the seed who saved two match points to escape a potential upset in the second round against Nathalie Dechy.
"I'm definitely disappointed with my loss. But still I look at it as a learning experience."
The rush of recent events played a role on the day.
"From the first match on, I tried to find my game on grass," Ivanovic said after skipping any grass warm-up events. "It was very, very emotional past couple of weeks for me.
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