Hewitt downs Del Potro as US Open magic returns
New York: Australian warhorse Lleyton Hewitt battled to a stunning five-set US Open win over Argentine sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro on Friday, relegating Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to supporting roles.
The 2001 champion defeated the 2009 winner, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 in the tournament's biggest shock to date.
Hewitt, 32 years old and down at 66 in the rankings after a lengthy battle with injuries, served up a trademark warrior-like performance that recalled his golden days when he was world number one and Wimbledon champion.
It was his 32nd career five-set victory and gave him a third round match-up with Russia's Evgeny Donskoy, the world number 102.
"I was really pumped up after I won my first match because I knew I would have a chance to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium," said Hewitt after his four-hour, three-minute win.
"I don't know how many years I have left to play and I was hankering to get out on this court again and put on a show."
Del Potro, still bothered by a wrist injury, was beaten in his second successive four-hour match.
"He's a great champion and a great fighter," said the big Argentine.
Hewitt, playing in his 13th US Open after having made his debut in 1999, hit 42 winners, one more than del Potro, who committed 70 unforced errors, a bleak statistic which eased the impact of the Australian only converting eight of 18 break point chances.
Hewitt's pyrotechnics overshadowed the progress into the third round of defending champion Murray and world number one Djokovic.
Murray, the third seed and Wimbledon champion, survived his first scare of the US Open, beating Argentina's world number 81 Leonardo Mayer, 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 and goes on to tackle Germany's Florian Mayer for a last-16 spot.
Murray fired 28 winners while the Argentine hit 49 unforced errors.
"It was a very tough match," Murray said of an opponent who like him was born on May 15, 1987.
"Both of us ran a lot and it was very humid. I'm just glad I was able to put it together and pull it out in the fourth set."
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