Former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt on Monday said he has nothing to fear while facing sixth seed Andy Roddick of the United States in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon on Wednesday. The Australian fought back from two sets down on Monday to defeat Czech Radek Stepanek 4-6, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 and take his place in the quarterfinals.
It was a deeply satisfying victory for the feisty Australian, firing on all cylinders once more after a hip operation that saw him tumbling out of the top 100 in the rankings earlier this year.
That victory, and his second round triumph over fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro, have given Hewitt a much needed boost at this year's Wimbledon.
Hewitt felt he had the better of two-time Wimbledon finalist Roddick for much of their meeting on grass at Queen's Club and won't be losing any sleep over the prospect of taking on the big-serving American.
"Queen's was only one or two points. I felt like I had the better of him in the actual service games that we were playing," said Hewitt, losing two tie breaks at Queen's earlier this month.
"I didn't face a breakpoint in the whole match. I had one breakpoint opportunity on his serve and wasn't able to take it.
"You know you're going to get aced out there. You know he's going to come up with big shots. You've got to weather the storm and take those small chances when you get the opportunity.
"That's what it comes down to playing these big matches at the end of these tournaments."