New York, Aug 3: No. 4 seed David Ferrer saved five set points in a first-set tiebreaker Sunday and went on to defeat 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 (9), 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the third round of the U.S. Open.
After saving the fifth set point, Ferrer scrambled from side to side at the net to pick up back-to-back volleys by Hewitt, then angled off a backhand winner to set up his second set point, which he won.
Hewitt broke early in the second set and got even in the match but the 31-year-old former champion wore down in the muggy heat and was limping between points at the end.
Ferrer advanced to the round of 16 in his 10th straight Grand Slam tournament.