Sunday, 2 December, 2001, 02:47 GMT
Hewitt lifts Australia
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/1687316.stm

Davis Cup first reverse singles:
Australia beat France 6-2 6-2 6-3
Lleyton Hewitt has levelled the Davis Cup final
with a straight sets win over Sebastien Grosjean.

The world number one was always in the driving seat
against his French opponent and made light of the
huge pressure he faced going into the match.

Having lost his two previous rubbers the Australian
had to win to keep the match alive.

The first indoor match on grass in Davis Cup history
was played almost exclusively from the baseline with
neither playing making many sorties to the net.

The retractable roof at the Rod Laver Arena was closed
because of light rain in Melbourne.

Going into the match Hewitt had a 100% record over
Grosjean in their three previous meetings this year
and enjoyed a 6-2 career advantage.

Hewitt's greater consistency, intensity and fierce
groundstrokes proved too strong for Grosjean and he
won 103 points to the Frenchman's 80.

The Australian set the tone for the match after both
players made a steady start.

A string of three consecutive breaks in the first set
culminated with Hewitt holding a 4-3 advantage.

Another break, the 20-year-old's third from the three
opportunities Grosjean gave him, sealed the set.

Hewitt maintained the initiative with a break early in
the second and six straight games gave him a 3-0
advantage.

He never lost his grip on the match, winning the set
with even more ease than he had the first.

Grosjean went for broke and immediately reaped reward
by taking a 2-0 lead in the third.

But the threat of a French fightback was brief.

Hewitt recovered, broke back to level at 2-2 and made
the decisive break in the ninth game before serving out
victory with an ace.