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It's game, set and MotoGP in Melbourne!

Arriving in style, the two riders headed in over Tanderrum Bridge on two Ducatis - ready to meet their match.

From left, Francois Vogelsberger, Andrea Dovizioso, Jack Miller and Lleyton Hewitt

Melbourne, October 24: Ahead of the Australian MotoGP, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) headed for Rod Laver Arena at the home of the Australian Open for the pre-event - meeting up with former ATP world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt and coach Francois Vogelsberger for a match with a few differences.

Arriving in style, the two riders headed in over Tanderrum Bridge on two Ducatis - ready to meet their match.

Unfair odds?

Unfair odds?

Heading out on court, after an initial warm up and some friendly words at the net it was down to business - with Miller and Dovizioso teaming up vs the pros.

Unfair odds? Some would say, and despite a few choice shots that just about had Hewitt's team outfoxed, the MotoGP riders found themselves broken - in a serve sense of course - and it was time to try and level the playing field a little.

Gloves come off

Gloves come off

Time out taken and ready to kick it up a gear, the gloves then came off for Dovizioso and Miller as Hewitt put them on.

Donning one of Miller's, the former Wimbledon and US Open champion now had to try it with a bit more of a handicap - but still, it was to no avail as the pros came out swinging once again. Next up? Even more of a challenge...

Miller's helmet

Miller's helmet

Although it was harder to hold the racquet in the glove, it took another level up with the addition of Miller's helmet.

Pulling it on and getting used to the extra weight, Hewitt was then facing two different challenges as he tried to serve accurately looking through the visor - and stay nimble enough to return.

Geared up

Geared up

The riders geared themselves up to give it their best shot and finally, finally managed to slice one past the pros.

After the Melbourne visit, it's time to head south through the state of Victoria as Phillip Island beckons for another spectacular battle.

Thursday (October 25) welcomes the riders to the pre-event press conference as well as a couple more Aussie-themed events before practice begins on Friday (October 26), and the lights go out for the race at 4pm local time (10.30am IST) on Sunday (October 28).

Story first published: Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 14:22 [IST]
Other articles published on Oct 24, 2018