LLEYTON HEWITT AND BRYAN BROTHERS WIN 2009 TITLES
Lleyton Hewitt claimed the 27th title of his career on Sunday with a 6-2 7-5 win over American Wayne Odesnik in the final of the US Men’s Clay Court Championship. Hewitt raced to a 3-0 lead in both sets, but lost five straight games to trail 3-5 in the second set before rallying to win the title. As he clinched the title, the 28-year-old Hewitt fell to his knees along the baseline, and then found his wife, Bec, and his two young children in the crowd to share the moment with them. For Hewitt, it was the 499th match win of his career, which is good for third among active players behind only Roger Federerand Carlos Moya. Hewitt’s 27 titles are also good for third among active players, behind only Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. This marks his second career title on clay, and his first since 1999 when he won at Delray Beach. The Australian Hewitt becomes the 13th player in the Open Era to claim the US Men’s Clay Court Championship title without dropping a set, and the first to do so since Ivo Karlovic in 2007. Hewitt is also the first unseeded winner since Karlovic in 2007. Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion, is the first Australian winner at the US Men’s Clay Court Championship since Jason Stoltenbergin 1994. Odesnik was appearing in his first career ATP World Tour final, and moves to 7-3 in this event. Thanks to everyone for their support of the 2009 US Men’sClay Court Championship at River Oaks Country Club. We looking forward to seeing you next year when the tournament returns April 5-11.
Bob and Mike Bryan won their second US Men’s Clay Court Championship in three years with a 6-1 6-2 win over Jesse Levine and Ryan Sweeting on Saturday night. The title is the fourth of 2009 for the World No. 1 Bryans,who now own 53 career titles together. The twin brothers continued the tradition that was started last year when the ATP returned to River Oaks by taking a celebratory jump in the River Oaks Country Club swimming pool. Levine and Sweeting joined the Bryans for the swim.
