MaNuMaNiAc
09-23-2006, 11:03 PM
http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,21985,20467486-3162,00.html
AUSTRALIA'S Davis Cup dreams were in tatters early today after new Argentine hero Jose Acasuso completed a career-defining win over Lleyton Hewitt.
A contentious selection, 26th-ranked Acasuso lifted Argentina to a 2-0 lead ahead of the doubles and reverse singles with a 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 margin over former world No. 1 Hewitt. Acasuso's comeback victory -- the lanky baseliner won 10 of the final 11 games -- left a capacity crowd of 14,500 partisans ecstatic.
Hewitt clung optimistically to hopes of conjuring an unlikely escape when play resumed with the Australian trailing 0-4 in the deciding fifth set.
And he immediately raised visions of a Houdini-like escape by breaking serve to snap a nine-game losing streak.
But he stumbled with a botched drop shot to surrender his serve. His opponent held serve to win the match.
Egged on by an increasingly rowdy home crowd, Acasuso had led 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 4-0 when rain stopped play on the first day.
Argentina's David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri needed only to win the doubles rubber early today against Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley to push the South Americans into their first final since 1981.
Nalbandian demolished Philippoussis 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening singles match to give the hosts the upper hand.
Acasuso then exploited worsening conditions to get on top of Hewitt.
Nalbandian and Acasuso were cheered on by an increasingly belligerent Diego Maradona on the opening day.
The reformed drug addict -- still the nation's most famous sportsman -- urged his compatriots to "ruin" Hewitt.
Maradona led delirious Argentine celebrations as the claycourt powerhouse moved closer to only its second Davis Cup final.
"What I have to say to Hewitt is that we are a civilised country," he said.
"He didn't know Argentina and I think he's surprised.
"He thought that here we live with bows and arrows.
"Now he's realised that all we want is to win at tennis and nothing more.
"We have to ruin him, we have to bring him to justice on the court."
Each time the host nation claimed a vital point, the man who found World Cup infamy with his "hand of God" goal against England in 1986, leapt to his feet to wave a shirt maniacally over his head.
No offense to Aussie's because I think Australia rocks, but I'm glad Hewitt lost. The dude is a jackass. Plus this is the second time we've made it to the Davis Cup finals in 25 years so... http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smispin.gif
DISCLAIMER: I'd just like to add I also think Maradona is a dumbass, so take that into account while reading his comments.
AUSTRALIA'S Davis Cup dreams were in tatters early today after new Argentine hero Jose Acasuso completed a career-defining win over Lleyton Hewitt.
A contentious selection, 26th-ranked Acasuso lifted Argentina to a 2-0 lead ahead of the doubles and reverse singles with a 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 margin over former world No. 1 Hewitt. Acasuso's comeback victory -- the lanky baseliner won 10 of the final 11 games -- left a capacity crowd of 14,500 partisans ecstatic.
Hewitt clung optimistically to hopes of conjuring an unlikely escape when play resumed with the Australian trailing 0-4 in the deciding fifth set.
And he immediately raised visions of a Houdini-like escape by breaking serve to snap a nine-game losing streak.
But he stumbled with a botched drop shot to surrender his serve. His opponent held serve to win the match.
Egged on by an increasingly rowdy home crowd, Acasuso had led 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 4-0 when rain stopped play on the first day.
Argentina's David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri needed only to win the doubles rubber early today against Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley to push the South Americans into their first final since 1981.
Nalbandian demolished Philippoussis 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in the opening singles match to give the hosts the upper hand.
Acasuso then exploited worsening conditions to get on top of Hewitt.
Nalbandian and Acasuso were cheered on by an increasingly belligerent Diego Maradona on the opening day.
The reformed drug addict -- still the nation's most famous sportsman -- urged his compatriots to "ruin" Hewitt.
Maradona led delirious Argentine celebrations as the claycourt powerhouse moved closer to only its second Davis Cup final.
"What I have to say to Hewitt is that we are a civilised country," he said.
"He didn't know Argentina and I think he's surprised.
"He thought that here we live with bows and arrows.
"Now he's realised that all we want is to win at tennis and nothing more.
"We have to ruin him, we have to bring him to justice on the court."
Each time the host nation claimed a vital point, the man who found World Cup infamy with his "hand of God" goal against England in 1986, leapt to his feet to wave a shirt maniacally over his head.
No offense to Aussie's because I think Australia rocks, but I'm glad Hewitt lost. The dude is a jackass. Plus this is the second time we've made it to the Davis Cup finals in 25 years so... http://spurstalk.com/forums/images/smilies/smispin.gif
DISCLAIMER: I'd just like to add I also think Maradona is a dumbass, so take that into account while reading his comments.