Miami Masters 2014: Rafael Nadal dominates Lleyton Hewitt in his opening encounter

Round 2: Rafael Nadal def. Lleyton Hewitt 6-1 6-3

Lleyton Hewitt achieved a unique landmark a couple of days back. He became only the third active player to record 600 match wins on the tour. A remarkable achievement.

Unfortunately for him, the reward for reaching that milestone was a clash with one of the other two players to hold that record- World no.1 Rafael Nadal.

At the outset, it was always going to be a tough match for the 33-year-old Australian. But even he wouldn’t have expected such a trouncing.

Nadal was sharp right from the start, and didn’t take his foot off the pedal till the end, as the one sided encounter ended in just over an hour.

Nadal started brightly, and a loose opening service game from Hewitt gave him an opening game break. He was in command in his own service games, as he dominated rallies to consolidate the break and lead 2-0 in quick time.

Nadal kept up with his attacking gameplay and he maneuvered the ball with controlled aggression. He reached break point again and took it with an open forehand.

Hewitt offered a bit more resistance in the next game, but Nadal was too strong. The match was starting to look really one sided. In spite of making mistakes at the net Hewitt continued to volley, and it cost him. He finally managed to hold on to his serve, but it was too late.

Nadal’s own ventures to the net were far more successful. When he did come to the net, he swiped crosscourt forehands, which were out of Hewitt’s reach.

It was total decimation of Hewitt towards the end of the set. Every shot from Nadal’s racquet was so strong and aggressive, that it took all of Hewitt’s capability to keep the ball in. He cornered him to one end and smacked the ball at the other. His shots were hit with pinpoint precision.

The ruthlessness continued as Nadal broke Hewitt yet again, as he took the first set.

Nadal started serving in the second set and opened with a love hold. He was the equivalent of a brick wall, as Hewitt found every single shot he hit, returned back with earnest. He managed to hold on to level at 1-1.

Both players continued to hold serve and Hewitt pushed Nadal at 2-2. Nadal didn’t let him see break point though as he took the game when Hewitt hit a forehand long to lead 3-2.

Nadal was committed to being aggressive and he made very few errors. His offered no respite in his service games, and it was simply impossible for Hewitt to find any inroads. Most of his service points were standard one-two’s, going one way and then the other.

Just when it seemed like Hewitt would push this set into a tie break, Nadal broke him. At 3-4, 40-30, Nadal forced an error out of Hewitt. A brief struggle followed at deuce, before multiple errors at the net gave Nadal the decisive break.

The end came quickly. Nadal was up 40-0 in no time and won the match when Hewitt hit his service return at the net.

Nadal showed no signs of rustiness compared to his outing at Indian Wells. His performance tonight should serve as an ominous reminder to the rest of the players in the draw that the world no.1 is back to his best