Australian top seed Lleyton Hewitt defeated Britain's Tim Henman 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to clinch the 800,000 dollar Queen's Club title today and join John McEnroe as the only other three-time winner on the West London grass.
Australian top seed Lleyton Hewitt defeated Britain's Tim Henman 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to clinch the 800,000 dollar Queen's Club title today and join John McEnroe as the only other three-time winner on the West London grass.
McEnroe claimed his hat-trick from 1979-81 with Hewitt following the American legend into the record books beating Henman in just over two hours in a re-run of last year's final at the pre-Wimbledon tune-up tournament.
Hewitt, the world number one, improved to 5-0 career record over Henman, a three-time Wimbledon semi-finalist.
Their last meeting prior to today's cloud-shrouded affair was the final on hardcourts at Indian Wells, California, where the 21-year-old Aussie carved up his opponent 6-1, 6-2.
Hewitt last lost here in a 1999 semi-final to Pete Sampras and has now won 15 matches in a row at the event - with only three dropped sets.
"It's been getting better and better," said Hewitt, whose best Wimbledon showing has been the fourth round.
"It's a short grass court season, so the more matches you get, the better off you will be. I'm feeling pretty good at the moment, and this is one of my favourite weeks of the year."
Henman started with determination as he claimed the opening set in 54 minutes.
The pair traded breaks in the first two games, with Hewitt rallying after losing his serve to love in the opener to quickly notch break-back.
Hewitt lost serve a second time in the ninth game after going to three deuces before dropping to 4-5. Henman collected the set on his second opportunity, with a back-hand volley winner.
But the tide turned quickly in the second, with the aggressive Hewitt taking it to 4-0 on two breaks of the embattled Brit.
Henman earned a token game for 1-5, but couldn't hold off the Hewitt charge, netting a return to square the match at a set each.
Hewitt took control in the third, his attacking shots doing immediate damage as he took the title on the first of his three match point chances.
"I had chances late in the first set, but I couldn't get the break back," said Hewitt.
"It's great to hold up this trophy again. To win it three times is incredible.
"I just about feel at home here. I've been getting better with each match, I hope to carry this form into Wimbledon."