MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Veterans Lleyton Hewitt and Serena Williams starred on Rod Laver Arena for the evening session of Day 2 at the Australian open.
Australian Hewitt rallied from 2-5 in the final set to put down German Stebe7-5, 6-4, 3-6 7-5.
Yeah, it was always going to be tough no matter who I played. I just haven’t played a lot of matches.
“Yeah, he’s a quality player,” said Hewitt. ” He’s a lot better than what his ranking is at the moment. He had his breakthrough year last year, played very well towards the end of the year. I spoke to quite a few guys in the locker room and stuff after the draw came out. A lot of people spoke very highly of him.
“”He’s had quality wins against Davydenkos, and Ferreros in big ATP events.
“I knew he was going to be dangerous. Conditions probably suited him out there. Quite slow conditions. So it gave him a little bit more time. He just sort of has big cuts from both sides.”
Up next for Hewitt is Andy Roddick.
” His strengths are still pretty much the same, said Hewitt of Roddick. “Obviously his serve’s his biggest strength. For a big guy he moves well. From the back of the court his forehand is probably stronger than his backhand.
“Yeah, he’s obviously capable of coming to the net, too. He’s an all‑court player. He’s probably added to his net game a little bit more since the first time I played him, whatever, when he was a 19‑, 20‑year‑old, whatever it was. He’s a complete player.
 “He played his best when he won the US Open at a young age. He played pretty well. He played pretty good the Wimbledons when he made the finals. Came awfully close to winning that one against Rog.”
Serena Williams stopped Austria’s Tamira Paszek 6-3, 6-2. Williams looked a little out of practice and yelled at some of her own missed shots. This was only Williams third match since last year’ year’ US Open final when she lost to Same Stosur.
“I think I was a wee bit tight out there today, said Williams. “I always get a little nervous in my first‑round matches.
“I definitely didn’t play any way that I practiced. So hopefully I can get better.
“I definitely think it was good because I moved a lot and I challenged myself a lot. She made a few dropshots. She really pushed me physically.
“I think, you know, that’s really something I needed to kind of feel and assess my ankle.
“Williams is on a 15-match winning streak at Melbourne Park winning titles in 2009 and 2010 before missing last year’s tournament with an injury.
Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News