Hewitt Falls to Ferrer in Final Singles Match of Career
Lleyton Hewitt’s career was hoping to have a stay of execution when he took to the court at Rod Laver Arena to play eighth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer in the Australian Open second round on Thursday. But Ferrer put an end to that quickly, and went on to defeate Hewitt 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 to earn his spot in the third round in Melbourne.
“He was too good tonight. He’s a top eight player in the world, couple of times a semifinalist here. He plays extremely well in these conditions and is at the top of his game at the moment,” Hewitt said of Ferrer. “I came out and gave everything I had like always. I left nothing in the locker room. That’s something I can always be proud of. My whole career I’ve always given 100 percent. I love coming out here and competing. It’s never hard to come out playing in front of such great spectators every time I play out here on Rod Laver Arena. It’s like a second home for me and I’m just so fortunate to have this opportunity 20 years in a row.”
Ferrer had his serve working and it was too much for Hewitt to overcome. He saved nine break points through the first two sets, while converting on two breaks in the opener and one in the second set to take a commanding two sets to love.
And despite Hewitt managing to break Ferrer to even things up at 3-3 in the third set, Ferrer had one more break left in him, and went on to close the match out in straight sets.
Ferrer, whose game is very similar to Hewitt’s, had nothing but positive things to say about Hewitt afterwards.
“He gave a very good performance. He’s one of the best players in history. I have a shirt signed by him from seven years ago, the only shirt from another player I have in my house,” said Ferrer. “It’s a sad day, because Lleyton is finishing his career. He’s an idol for me and an amazing player. The match was tough, Lleyton fought until the last ball. He’s unbelievable. He deserves everything coming.”
Hewitt is still alive in the doubles tournament in Melbourne alongside fellow Australian Sam Groth.
Ferrer will now take on American Steve Johnson in the third round. Johnson ousted Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in his second round match Thursday.
Top seeds Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka both made their way into the third round on Thursday.
The second-seed Murray moved past Australia’s Sam Groth 6-0, 6-4, 6-1, setting up a matchup with Joao Sousa of Portugal. The 32nd seed defeated Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.
Wawrinka notched a routine 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek. Up next for Wawrinka is Stepanek’s countryman, Lukas Rosol, who upset 25th seeded American Jack Sock 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 6-3.
