LLEYTON HEWITT’S CAREER COMES TO AN END, & ANDY MURRAY CRUISES IN MELBOURNE @ THE 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS

Written by: Staff on 21st January 2016

LLEYTON HEWITT'S CAREER COMES TO AN END, & ANDY MURRAY CRUISES IN MELBOURNE @ THE 2016 AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS

epa05115159 Andy Murray of Britain reacts during his second round match against Sam Groth of Australia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

By Ricky Dimon

Lleyton Hewitt played the final match of his illustrious career on Thursday night, losing to David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of the Australian Open. The two-time Grand Slam champion announced almost a year in advance that he would retire at this event. And that is exactly what Hewitt did, going out on his own terms after 20 seasons on tour.

Hewitt managed to score one more victory during his last hurrah, beating fellow Aussie James Duckworth in the first round on Tuesday. But Ferrer proved to be too tough of a task. The eighth-ranked Spaniard served at 70 percent and saved nine of 10 break points before finishing the job in two hours and 32 minutes.

“He’s a top-quality; top-eight player at the moment,” Hewitt said of Ferrer. “He didn’t really give me a lot of opportunities out there tonight. All my service games were really hard to hold the whole time. The small opportunities I got on his, he didn’t give me any cheap points. But that’s why he’s had a long and successful career. He’s been awfully close to winning a major.”

In typical fashion, though, the 34-year-old did not go away without a fight. His only break of the night came when he trailed by two sets and a break in the third. Although the success was short-lived, it still ignited the packed house in Rod Laver Arena.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there,” Hewitt assured. “A couple of the roars during the match tonight was as loud as I’ve ever played in front of. I was getting goosebumps at times.”

David Ferrer of Spain returns the ball to Lleyton Hewitt of Australia during their second round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia returns the ball to David Ferrer of Spain during their second round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2016. EPA/MADE NAGI

“I tried play point by point and really focused every point, because I know Lleyton (will) fight until last ball,” Ferrer explained. “I know that.”

With Hewitt having bowed out, attention in the bottom half of the draw will now turn to the current contenders, many of whom are still alive and kicking. In addition to Ferrer, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, and Milos Raonic also advanced in straight sets. Murray mauled big-serving Australian Sam Groth, Wawrinka disposed of 37-year-old Radek Stepanek, and Raonic held off a spirited effort from Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo.

Next up for Murray on Saturday is 32nd seed Joao Sousa, while Ferrer is running into Steve Johnson. Ferrer could face another American, John Isner, in the fourth round. Isner crushed Marcel Granollers on Thursday and will next face Feliciano Lopez, who outlasted Guido Pella in a five-setter than featured four tiebreakers.