Lleyton Hewitt denied Roger Federer’s quest for his 78th career singles title on Sunday after the Australian defeated the Swiss star in the final of the Brisbane International 2014 tournament. Hewitt won 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to earn his first ATP title since 2010.
“Playing the best players in the world and finals of tournaments, always it’s exciting. That’s why you still play the game,” Hewitt said. “For me, it was motivation enough just to try to get the win out there and obviously win another title. It’s been a couple years. So I was just ready for the challenge today.
“It means a lot with the calibre of players here as well in this tournament. It’s not an easy tournament to win. I wasn’t one of the top four seeds, so I had to win all five matches to get through. There are pleasing parts and massive positives to take out of it.”
Despite the loss, Federer said that playing many matches this week – in singles and doubles – was a good start.
“[I feel] pretty good, especially having played all the matches I have here now with the doubles in particular,” the 17-time Grand Slam champion said. “It’s a good thing.
“I didn’t play great today which is a bit unfortunate. But also Lleyton was the best player I played this week. He made it toughest on me. So I have a clear idea what I need to work on, and I have a clear idea where my mind and body is at. I’m very hungry and eager to attack the Australian Open next week.”
This was Federer’s and Hewitt’s 27th career match meeting and prior to Hewitt’s victory, the Australian trailed in their head to head series at 8-18. It has now improved to 9-18.
Second seeds Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Daniel Nestor won the doubles event after defeating fourth-seeded Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah 6-7(4), 6-4, 10-7.
