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Thursday, July 17
Aussie men sweep events

WIMBLEDON, England -- Lleyton Hewitt's first men's singles title at Wimbledon was only the start of a day of celebration for the hordes of Australians at the All England Club.

While Hewitt cruised to 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory against Argentine David Nalbandian on Centre Court, Australian doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge was on court one winning his seventh men's doubles title -- his first with Swede Jonas Bjorkman.

Later in the day 18-year-old Australian Todd Reid won the boys' singles final 7-6 (5), 6-4 over Lamine Ouahab of Algeria.

All three were cheered on by a large Australian contingent both at courtside and in front of the giant television screen on the grassy knoll dubbed "Henman Hill" -- several of their banners calling for it to be renamed "Hewitt Hill" in honor of their hero.

Hewitt, who draped himself in the Australian flag before parading the trophy, said the tradition of Australian success at Wimbledon made his victory all the sweeter.

"We've had so many great players do well here in the past," Hewitt said. "So it's sort of a place you enjoy coming back to and you look forward to coming to play."

Woodbridge celebrated his 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 7-5 victory against Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor with Mark Woodforde -- the now retired Australian with whom he won his previous six men's doubles titles here -- who is here as a television pundit.

Holding a glass of champagne, Woodbridge, 31, said the success was a boon for Australian tennis in what could have been a down period.

"The young guys in the junior program have really stepped up to the plate in the last two majors, and come through with some good results. That's terrific," he said. "We had thought we didn't have much backup after I'd retired from singles and Jason Stoltenberg, Richard Fromberg also retired, Mark Woodforde also.

"Things were a bit lean when you notice we only had four players in the main draw. For Todd Reid to come through and win, that's a huge boost for junior tennis in Australia."

Woodbridge said he thought 21-year-old Hewitt, whose success was the 21st for Australians in the men's singles, had more major titles ahead of him.

"I think he's a four to six Slam winner" he said. "It's just a matter of keeping fit, the drive and motivation he has. He's just a freak really in a way. I mean, people like Lleyton come along every 15, 20 years, one person like that."

Hewitt said he hoped his victory would be a spur to young tennis hopefuls back in Australia, as Pat Cash's victory in 1987 had been for him.

"I think for every, you know, kid playing in the local club in Australia, just for them to realize that it is possible. You can, you know, dream," he said.

"You've still got to put in a lot of hard work and try and get there, but it is possible. It's not out of your reach.

"For me it was such a huge thing to see an Australian win such a big tournament. I think that, you know, rubs off a little bit."

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