Moya raring to take on Hewitt

Sydney:

Carlos Moya used his big forehand to bludgeon American James Blake out of the Sydney International tennis tournament today and promised more of the same if he bumps into world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt in next week's Australian Open. The Spaniard world No 5 powered to a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 win over 28 ranked Blake in one hour 47 minutes to set up a second-round meeting with the American qualifier. Moya is approaching the form that made him world No 1 in March 1999 and says he has added a stronger backhand to his formidable forehand armoury. The 26-year-old Spaniard, runner-up to Pete Sampras at the 1997 Australian Open, has beaten Hewitt in their past four meetings and his confidence is high should he encounter Australia's best hope of winning the national Open in more than 28 years. "I have a lot of confidence when I play Lleyton," Moya said on Tuesday. "I haven't dropped a set to him in our last four matches. He has trouble with my forehand and he finds it difficult to find my backhand. I'm able to move him side to side and finish the point. I feel comfortable when I play him." Hewitt ranks with seven-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi and former US Open champion Marat Safin as the players to beat at the Australian Open, beginning in Melbourne on Monday. (PTI)