Lleyton Hewitt showed vintage form as he humbled Juan Martin Del Potro 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday to win the Kooyong Classic, just days ahead of the start of the Australian Open.
Hewitt, who stood number one in the world more than a decade ago, rolled back the clock with his comprehensive win in 66 minutes, duplicating his Kooyong title from 2011 at the eight-man special event.
The 31-year-old dominated for most of the contest under cloudy skies and in windy conditions at the Kooyong Stadium - the former home of the Open.
The unseeded veteran who holds Wimbledon and US Open titles, will be a danger-man in the grand slam draw at Melbourne Park when play begins on Monday.
"Juan Martin is a fantastic competitor," said Hewitt, who called the Argentine "one of my best mates on the tour. We always train together.
"He's one of the best and I'm sure it won't be long before he's pushing at the top three or four in the world."
Hewitt, who beat three top-15 players in his Kooyong run, begins at the Australian Open against Serb eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic.
Hewitt also paid homage to the club: "This is the home of Australian tennis, there have been so many great Davis Cup ties played here."
Hewitt raced through the opening set in 27 minutes, reaching a 3-1 lead after just 16 minutes. The Australian finished off the set on a first set point as Del Potro fired a forehand long.
Del Potro made a stab at a rally in the second set, breaking Hewitt for 3-4 at one point and levelling at 4-4 soon after.
But Hewitt stayed in control, moving to 5-4 and finishing a game later on a second match point, a stinging forehand return winner.
Tomas Berdych lifted his game to claim third place through a 6-3, 6-2 win over Marcos Baghdatis, winning in just under an hour.
The performance was a vast improvement for the sixth-ranked Czech after losing in straight sets to Hewitt earlier in the week.
Berdych had complained of not feeling his game on court, but had solved his problem by Saturday's match.
"It's good to get in a match before Monday, everything in your game is important at this point," said the Czech.
"I've rediscovered by game again, I think I found it today."
Berdych needed four match points to finally put away 2006 Melbourne Park finalist Baghdatis, with the Cypriot driving a ball into the net to end the contest.
Berdych begins his Australian Open campaign against American Michael Russell, who he last played in 2010.
"He's a very tough guy who gives everything on the court. He's a good fighter and doesn't give you any points for free," he said.
"I must be focussed on every point, he's a good challenge to start with in the first round."
AFP
Tags: tennis, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted January 12, 2013 15:47:52
There have been numerous classic encounters during The Wimbledon Championships, none more so than the 1981 Men's Final between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. There could not have been two more contrasting characters, McEnroe renowned for his temper tantrums and Borg the ice-cool and reserved Swede. 202 minutes of gripping action and incredible tennis. Borg and McEnroe battled it out, pushing their levels of physical and mental endurance to the limit in this dramatic 4 set showdown.
In many ways Federer is much like the man he succeeded at the All England Club in 2001. 
As The Wimbledon Championships moved into the eighties, they were greeted by one of the most memorable Gentlemen's Singles Finals ever. 1980 saw Sweden's Bjorn Borg face the promising 21-year-old American, John McEnroe. Borg had four Wimbledon titles under his belt and was the firm favorite. McEnroe however had shown his potential two years earlier, reaching the semi-final from the qualifying stages. Vastly contrasting his character, Borg remained calm and composed, while McEnroe was openly emotional and determined. 240 minutes.
In many ways Federer is much like the man he succeeded at the All England Club in 2001. 
As The Wimbledon Championships moved into the eighties, they were greeted by one of the most memorable Gentlemen's Singles Finals ever. 1980 saw Sweden's Bjorn Borg face the promising 21-year-old American, John McEnroe. Borg had four Wimbledon titles under his belt and was the firm favorite. McEnroe however had shown his potential two years earlier, reaching the semi-final from the qualifying stages. Vastly contrasting his character, Borg remained calm and composed, while McEnroe was openly emotional and determined. 240 minutes.