Hweitt wins 2nd AAMI Classic title
The physically rejuvenated 31-year-old completed the perfect Open preparation with a 6-1 6-4 win against world No.7 Juan Martin Del Potro to win his second AAMI Classic title at Kooyong yesterday.
Del Potro was never in the match against the razor-sharp Hewitt who reeled off six straight games to claim the opening set in just 27 minutes.
Only when he led 4-2 in the second set did the Australian temporarily falter, dropping serve for the only time as Del Potro pulled level.
But he attacked the 198cm Argentine's booming serve again in the 10th game, sealing victory with a classic forehand return winner off a second serve.
Back to top
Tickets for todays final available at the gate
Local favourite Lleyton Hewitt takes on powerful Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in today's final.
The pair have met three times with the Argentine victorious in the past two encounters.
Play begins at 1pm with Tomas Berdych v Marcos Baghdatis.
The final will follow at approximately 2.30pm.
Tickets available at the gate.
Box Office Opens: 10am
Gates Open: 10:30am
Back to top
Hewitt to take on Del Potro in AAMI Classic final
Hewitt will meet powerful Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the AAMI Classic final at Kooyong after Del Potro continued his steady improvement with a 6-4 6-1 win against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis today.
The schedule for tomorrow is as follows;
From 1pm
Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)
Followed by the final:
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
Pre final entertainment is Andrew Wishart - runner up x-factor
Book at TICKETMASTER or purchase at the gate.
Back to top
Tickets for Hewitt v Berdych available at the gate today
Perfect day for tennis!
Llyeton Hewitt takes on Tomas Berdych in the 2nd match at Kooyong today.
Play kicks off at 11am with Milos Raonic v Ivan Dodig.
Ticket prices as follows;
Adults: $40
Concession: $35
Kids: $15 (under 16)
Family: $90 (2 adults + 2 children)
Back to top
Hewitt to play Berdych in Thursday blockbuster
Aussie hero Lleyton Hewiitt will take on Czech superstar Tomas Berdych for a place in Saturday's AAMI Classic final.
TIckets for tomorrow are available at Ticketmaster or at the gate.
Schedule for Thursday is as follows;
11am
Milos Raonic (CAN) v Ivan Dodig (CRO)
followed by:
Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Tomas Berdych (CZE)
followed by:
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) v Simone Bolelli (ITA)
Back to top
Tickets for today available at the gate
Play for today kicks off at 11am;
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
Followed by:
Llyeton Hewitt (AUS) v Milos Raonic (CAN)
Followed by:
Janko Tipsarevic (SER) v Marcos Baghdaits (CYP)
Followed by:
Tomas Berdych (CZE) v Ivan Dodig (CRO)
Back to top
Nishikori Pulls Out of Classic
AUSTRALIAN Open injury jitters continue to afflict title contenders with high-ranked Japanese hero Kei Nishikori pulling out of the AAMI Classic with a knee injury.
Nishikori put himself through a personal fitness test on the practice courts late yesterday and withdrew from the event last night.
The world No.18 has been replaced by Croatian Ivan Dodig, who will face Czech Tomas Berdych in the fourth match today
Back to top
Schedule Of Play Wednesday January 9th
SCHEDULE OF PLAY
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
11.00 am
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG) v PAUL-HENRI MATHIEU (FRA)
FOLLOWED BY:
LLEYTON HEWITT (AUS) V MILOS RAONIC (CAN)
FOLLOWED BY:
JANKO TIPSAREVIC (SER) V MARCOS BAGHDATIS (CYP)
FOLLOWED BY:
TOMAS BERDYCH (CZE) V KEI NISHIKORI (JAP)
Back to top
Berdych Signs For AAMI Classic
Czech, TOMAS BERDYCH (ranked 6), has clinched eighth spot in the 2013 AAMI Classic field.
The last minute coup by Tournament Director, Colin Stubs, was sealed late yesterday when he received a phone call from a close friend of Berdych’s and the AAMI Classic, IVAN LJUBCIC, who told Stubs that Berdych, having reached the quarter-finals in Chennai, needed more matches. Stubs jumped at the chance to secure the world no. 6 to complete his field.
Berdych is coming off a stellar year, having won tournaments in Montpelier and Stockholm, reaching the finals at Madrid Masters, WTC Dusseldorf and Winston Salem; semis at Monte Carolo,Rotterdam, US Open and Shanghai Masters; quarters at the Australian Open, Dubai, Rome Masters, Halle, Tokyo and Paris Masters.
Berdych joins JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (7), JANKO TIPSAREVIC (9), JUAN MONACO (12), MILOS RAONIC (13), KEI NISHIKORI (19), MARCOS BAGHDATIS (36) and LLEYTON HEWITT (83), all of whom are expected to attend the PLAYERS’ MEDIA CONFERENCE on Tuesday at Kooyong at 12.15 pm.
Fan Day, in aid of Challenge Cancer, will be held at Kooyong on Tuesday beginning at 11.00 am until 3.00 pm. Celebrities participating include Pat Cash, Andy Lee, Tania Zaetta, Blair McDonough, Tom Wren and X factor runner-up Andrew Wishart, who will open proceedings. Two of Australia’s top juniors will also make an appearance and on site will be the AAMI inter-active marquee, Tennis Victoria inter-active zone, FOX FM street crew, face painters and roving entertainers. The day’s activities will end with a BBQ and entertainment on outside courts by swing band, Orlando Combo.
Day one of the AAMI Classic kicks off on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 11.00 am. Play also starts at 11.00 am on Thursday/Friday with the finals on Saturday beginning at 1.00 pm. Friday is “Kids’ Day” when all children under 16 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult (maximum two children per adult). Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com.au or 13 1600).
Back to top
Fan Day Schedule
AAMI Classic Fan Day for Challenge Cancer
Schedule
10am - Gates Open
11.10am - Entertainment from Andrew Wishart (X-Factor runner up)
11.30am - Player introductions on centre court, autograph signings, giveaways
12 noon - Juniors match on Centre Court
12.45pm - 'Survive a Serve' from Badghdatis (TBC)
1.10pm - Legends v Celebs match with Pat Cash, Richard Fromberg, Tania Zaetta, Blair McDonough and more. Andy Lee as chair umpire
2pm - Centre Court concludes. BBQ and entertainment continues in catering village
3pm - Day concludes
(Times and activities subject to change)
During the day there will also be the following;
Fox FM Street Crew Giveaways
Tennis Victoria Interactive Zone
Roving Entertainers
Face Painters
AAMI Interactive Marquee
Tickets going fast. Get yours now!
Back to top
