Australian Open Day 2 Preview

There are many remarkable things about Lleyton Hewitt’s career, but the one that stands out most is that he began so young and lasted so long.

This is his 20th and final Australian Open and he marvels at that number, and even more at the fact that he never missed one. Somehow he was always able to make himself fit enough to play at Melbourne Park. That often wasn’t easy for someone who has undergone five surgeries (foot and hip) since 2008.

In 1997 at 15, he qualified for the Australian Open. Later that same year, then 16, he won his first of 30 ATP titles at home in Adelaide, defeating the great Andre Agassi in the semifinals and compatriot Jason Stoltenberg in the final.

With the tennis world at his feet, the fresh-faced champion smiled shyly and said to the crowd afterward, “I don’t think I’ll be going to school this year.”

Fast forward 19 years and there can be no regrets after a career that has featured Wimbledon (2002) and US Open (2001) titles, becoming the youngest No. 1 in ATP rankings history, being part of two Davis Cup-winning teams and earning $20.7 million (US) in official prize money.

At 178cm, Hewitt was an undersized pro and lacked a knock-out punch from the baseline. But he had Jimmy Connors/Rafael Nadal grit and spirit and possessed the best lob in tennis history – a precision-perfect arc that burst the balloons of hundreds of net rushers who watched helplessly as he checkmated them with a feathery touch.

Hewitt will remain prominent in tennis as Davis Cup captain, beginning with a tie in March against the United States at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne.

On Tuesday evening at Rod Laver Arena, he hopes to prolong his final appearance at Melbourne Park against dinkum fellow-Aussie James Duckworth, a 23-year-old from Sydney who was texting with Hewitt in the hours leading up to last Friday’s draw that paired them for the first round.

Also on the card in the day session are Nadal, facing Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco in a re-match of their mythic five-hour and 14-minute 2009 semifinal won by Rafa on his way to his only Aussie Open title, and Andy Murray against Alexander Zverev of Germany, a 198cm beanpole and a leading light of generation next.

Women’s second seed, Simona Halep, debuts against qualifier Zhang Shuai of China, third seed Garbine Muguruza plays Anett Kontaveit of Estonia, while Venus Williams, No. 8, faces Johanna Konta of Britain.

Venus is 35 but still a baby compared to men’s doubles No. 19 Daniel Nestor.

The wily Canadian, 43, recalls preparing to play a 17-year-old Hewitt in a 1998 Challenger final in Hong Kong. He was convinced he could beat the Aussie on a fast court, but the match wound up being cancelled by Typhoon Babs.

Looking back, Nestor laughs at his 26-year-old bravado, joking, “I don’t think I really understood how good he was.”

HOT PICKS
Jack Sock def. Taylor Fritz in four
This is the present future of American tennis, No. 26-ranked Sock, 23, versus the future future, qualifier 18-year-old Fritz, the world No. 1 junior last year and already ranked No. 154 as a pro.

Venus Williams def. Johanna Konta in three
Both finished 2015 strong and have begun 2016 poorly – Williams 0-1 and Konta 0-2. Williams survived 7-5 in the third set against the No. 47-ranked Briton last fall in Wuhan, China, and prevails again.

UPSET ALERT
Ana Kontaveit def. Garbine Muguruza
A runner-up a Wimbledon last year, the third-seeded Muguruza has been bothered by painful foot problem, plantar faciitis, and is vulnerable against the 20-year-old Estonian.

MUST-WATCH
Fabio Fognini vs. Gilles Muller
Mt. Vesuvius and Fabio Fognini are both situated in Italy. On Court 8 at 11am on Tuesday, there may not be lava flowing, but volatile Fabio could explode in the heat against the cool, left-handed Luxembourger.

FUN FACT
The nine Grand Slam champions in the women’s draw are outnumbered by 10 Grand Slam bridesmaids. Those ultimately missing out on the big prize include (last names only) Vinci, Muguruza, Bouchard, Halep, Cibulkova, Lisicki, Radwanska, Errani, Wozniacki and Jankovic.

Source: ausopen.com