http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/1683924.stm
Friday, 30 November, 2001, 03:42 GMT
Escude humbles Hewitt

Nicolas Escude pulled off a remarkable recovery to beat world
number one Lleyton Hewitt and give France a 1-0 lead over
Australia in the Davis Cup final.

Twice Escude went a set down but he finally overcame Hewitt
4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 on the portable grass at Melbourne and
stunned the home crowd.

A delighted Escude said afterwards: "I felt the match start
to go my way in the fourth, and the key was holding my serve
when it seemed as if Lleyton would come back in the fifth."

The home favourite had a number of chances but failed to
capitalise.
Hewitt had comfortably won the first set but the Frenchman
came back in the second with some solid serving.

The US Open champion upped his game and won the third but
again Escude came back at him.

In the final set Escude, ranked 27th in the world, broke
Hewitt.

Hewitt broke back immediately but lost his serve again and
the Frenchman held on to record a memorable victory in just
less than three-and-a-half hours.

Escude had beaten Hewitt in five sets in the fourth round at
Wimbledon this year and had predicted an upset before the match.

Hewitt said afterwards: "The biggest key would have been to
take my opportunities when they came.

"I had an awful lot and just couldn't take them. He came up
with the big serves consistently."

Hewitt had been Australia's banker and now Pat Rafter faces a
tough match against Sebastien Grosjean in the second rubber.



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Davis Cup final draw


Saturday's doubles (0300 GMT)
Wayne Arthurs & Todd Woodbridge
v Cedric Pioline & Fabrice Santoro

Sunday's reverse singles (0000 GMT)
Lleyton Hewitt v Sebastien Grosjean
Pat Rafter v Nicolas Escude