If Roger Federer extends his dominance over local hope Lleyton Hewitt in the Brisbane International men’s final on Sunday, it seems the former world No.1 only has himself to blame.
Indeed Hewitt has a lot to answer for after Federer revealed his 2003 Davis Cup clash with the two-time grand slam winner proved a watershed moment in his glittering career.
World No.6 Federer took another step toward bouncing back from a horror 2013 by setting up a Brisbane title decider against his old rival – and good friend – at a sweltering Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday.
Hewitt bore the brunt of the brutal conditions in a stirring 5-7 6-4 6-3 win over second seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.
And 17-time grand slam champion Federer was made to sweat by hard-hitting eighth-seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy before prevailing 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 in their semi-final.
Federer, 32, hoped Hewitt would provide a timely gauge ahead of the Australian Open after failing to book a grand slam final in 2013 – the first time since 2002.
Federer has been at his dominant best against Hewitt; the veteran Aussie had to snap a 15-match winning streak by the Swiss master in their last tour clash, the 2010 Halle tournament decider in Germany.
However, Federer revealed it was a close shave against Hewitt during their Davis Cup days 11 years ago that had set him on the path to tennis greatness.
Federer notched his first grand slam crown when he triumphed over Aussie Mark Philippoussis in the 2003 Wimbledon final.
But the Swiss master reckoned he gained more from his losing five-set Davis Cup clash with Hewitt two months later in Melbourne.
“I think it really proved to me that I could play great tennis not just for a set, two sets, but three sets or maybe even longer against the toughest guys out there,” he said.
“Lleyton, at that point, was probably the toughest to beat in the best-of-five set matches, physically and mentally.
“Mentally it gave me the big belief that I could hang with the best.”
Lining up against good chum Hewitt was not the only reason Federer began reflecting on the past in Brisbane.
The veteran longed for the fast courts at the Australian Open after being spoiled by the speedy, bouncy surface in a baking hot Brisbane.
“I remember when I came up on tour with Lleyton things were so different,” Federer said.
“We had to change our games around to be able to still compete today.
“I don’t know if it (Melbourne’s Australian Open surface) is as quick as this. I doubt it.
“If it is, it’s going to be a very interesting Australian Open.”
