Lleyton Hewitt has kicked-off his final Australian Open with a 7-6(5), 6-2, 6-4, win over compatriot James Duckworth.
The evening block of the tournament was all about Hewitt and his popularity at the Australian Open. Playing in his final first round match of his career, a packed audience filled the Rod Laver Arena. The surrounding areas of the venue were also filled with people fixated on TV screens, watching the 34-year-old start his 20th and final Australian Open campaign.
Facing his compatriot Duckworth, Hewitt didn’t disappoint his army of fans. After the first six games of the match went according to serve, the former world No.1 was the first to pounce. A lapse in his opponents service enabled Hewitt to grab his first two break points of the match. After failing to convert both, the Australian was more fortunate with his third of the game to move ahead 4-3. Duckworth, who achieved a ranking high of 82 last year, refused to let the opening set slip away from him as he broke back to force a tiebreaker. The tiebreaker was a frustrating encounter for Duckworth as Hewitt broke his opponent’s serve two times in the tiebreak to seal the opening set after 57 minutes.
Following the first set triumph, Hewitt became stronger in the second set by producing some world class shots against Duckworth. The performance by Hewitt lead to the 34-year-old breaking to lead 3-1. The dominance was backed up with his service games. Hewitt dropped only four points in his first three service games of the second set. Duckworth was still valiantly battling, producing glimpses of how much of a talented player he is. This issue for Duckworth was that they were inconsistent against the crowd favorite. The world No.129 had three chances to break back in the second set, but squandered them all with a series of errors. Hewitt was granted his first set point after a double fault from Duckworth. He failed to convert the first due to an outstanding shot from Duckworth. A couple points later he was successful on his second set point after a brilliant rally forced his opponent to return it into the net. Hewitt might be playing in his final tournament, but the roar from him after taking the second set showed clearly how much passion he still has for the sport.
Hewitt’s triple fist pump after claiming the second set against Duckworth #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/7kgg5o74AT
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2016
Hewitt encountered difficulty at the start of the third set when Duckworth produced a stunning forehand return to earn himself two break points. Hewitt saved both of the breaks before giving away a third after a timid shot from him. It was third time lucky for Duckworth after he was handed the break following a double fault from the 34-year-old. The 23-year-old backed up the break after surviving a lengthy service game, consisting of four deuces, to extend his lead to 3-1. Despite falling behind, Hewitt clawed his way back after a disastrous double fault from Duckworth allowed him to break to level the set 4-4. As the former world No.1 moved ahead 5-4, Duckworth faced the prospect of serving to stay in the match. The 23-year-old collapsed under the pressure after producing three unforced errors to give Hewitt a trio of match points. The match was sealed on with his second match point following an outstanding lob from the 34-year-old.
Hewitt makes it through 1R in his final #AusOpen https://t.co/yUFZmqRvMk
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2016
Following his win over Duckworth, Hewitt admitted that playing in the first round of his final tournament was a tough experience for him.
“It was a tough situation, trying to block everything out”. Hewitt said.
“I tried to prepare as much as normal”.
He also said that one of the things he is going to miss the most about playing is the ‘adrenaline buzz’ he gets from walking on to the court.
In the second round Hewitt faces a mouthwatering clash with eighth seed David Ferrer. Ferrer defeated German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in his first round match. It be the fourth time that Hewitt has played the Spaniard on the tour and the first time since the 2012 US Open. Ferrer currently leads the head-to-head 2-1. Looking ahead to his second round clash, Hewitt spoke about his respect for Ferrer.
“I have so much respect for his game and he goes about it”. Hewitt said during his on court interview.
