Hewitt Beats Ferrero to Defend Masters Cup Title

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 18, 2002

Hewitt Beats Ferrero to Defend Masters Cup Title

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Hewitt Beats Ferrero to Defend Masters Cup Title

World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt defended his title successfully by beating Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5,7-5, 2-6, 2-6, 6-4 in the four-hour marathon final of the US$3.7 million year-ending Masters Cup Sunday in Shanghai.

The 21-year-old, who had secured his world No.1 title for the second consecutive year during the round-robin stage, has claimed five singles titles in 2002 and tied Andre Agassi for the most titles won this season.

After today's victory, the Australian wound up this season with a 61-15 record, the best in the world in 2002. Carlos Moya of Spain followed with a 59-21, and Roger Federer of Switzerland, 58-22. Moya and Federer lost to Ferrero and Hewitt respectively in the semifinals Saturday night.

"I feel very excited to win the title. This is a real tough fight," said the newly crowned champion.

The champion of the tournament brought Hewitt a total of US$700,000 price money. The 22-year-old Ferrero moved to fourth place in the ATP Champions Race by reaching the final and claimed a best year-end finish.

Though Hewitt made a total of 71 unforced errors to Ferrero's 41 and made four more double faults than the latter, he still emerged victoriously due to his brilliant effort in the rubber set.

Before today's showdown, both players won gripping three-set semifinals against previously unbeaten opponents Saturday.

Ferrero advanced to the final with a three-set thrilling win over Moya in an all-Spanish battle, while Hewitt beat Federer in a thrilling battle tipped as the best match of year.

In the best of five showdown today, both players fought evenly and tied the score all the way up to 3-3. Ferrero broke Hewitt's serves in the eighth game, but the Aussie rallied back immediately to level the score 6-5, and went on to take the set due to two times double faults by Ferrero.

In the second set, Hewitt broke his opponent's serves in the second game and led the score 3-1, the Spaniard held tough to break Hewitt's serves in the fifth game.

Supported by the heated packed crowd, Hewitt led the score 6-5 into the 12th game. Trailing 30-15, Fererro made a double fault and lost the set with a wide baseline return.

The third set saw Ferrero roar back bravely, breaking Hewitt's serves in the fourth and sixth games in a row, and quickly wrapping up the set 6-2.

Hewitt seemed lost his composure and pace in the following set, failing to hold his service game from the start. He made 13 unforced errors to Ferrero's 3, and went down to his rival 2-6 again.

In the decisive set, Ferrero looked tirelessly, smoothly breaking Hewitt's serves in the first game, but Hewitt refused to give in, smashing Ferrero's serves immediately in the second game.

The battle went on red hot and saw Ferrero break again to lead 2-1, but Hewitt clawed his way back to turn the table 4-3.

Leading 5-4 into the final game, Hewitt roared to 40-15 to control two match points. Ferrero saved one point but had to give up the gruelling match when the Aussie returned an air ball out of his reach.

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