Hewitt sees positives in Djokovic defeat

Lleyton Hewitt had already exceeded his own expectations at AO2012, so it was no surprise when the world No.1 sent him packing with a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 result at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.

But Hewitt still managed to produce many positives in a match that he was never expected to win. For one, he took a set off Djokovic - the first person to do so this year. He also threatened the top seed's serve frequently in the fourth set, threatening to take it to a fifth.

Those accomplishments were all the more meaningful given the way the match started. The world No.1 and defending champion's returns were typically powerful and probing early on. Hewitt didn't manage to hold his own serve until the fifth game of the second set. He would only manage to hold it twice in the first two sets.

However, he rallied in the third in his true 'warrior' fashion, taking a set which Hewitt said after the match, meant a lot.

 "It was obviously satisfying because, yeah, he was playing exceptional tennis.  I was still able to find a way to get, you know, back in the match in some regards, at least put some pressure on him," Hewitt said.

Still, exiting the tournament was a swift return to ground for the 30-year-old Australian after the emotional high of the victory over Milos Raonic in the third round. But, after the loss Hewitt said he was keeping the result in perspective.

"It's obviously disappointing anytime you lose.  But I left it all on the court.  That's all I could ask. Considering where I was a few months ago, three or four months ago, it's a pretty good effort."

After the third round win, the Australian had admitted he didn't know what to expect when he came into this year's Australian Open.

"I was just hoping my body would hold out for the first match. I hadn’t looked past that," Hewitt said.

So, when all factors are considered, Hewitt has plenty of reason to be positive about his performances at this year's tournament, and a four-set, fourth round exit against the world No.1 and a man who won three of four majors in 2011 is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

He's unsure of his plans for the year just now, but there's no doubt that wherever Lleyton Hewitt is on a tennis court in 2012, provided he's fit, his brave style of play and refusal to give up will see him compete with the very best in the world.

Just as did tonight.