Ferrer tops Hewitt at U.S. Open

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, 79-degree heat and was limping between points at the end.

Ferrer advanced to the round of 16 in his 10th straight Grand Slam tournament.