Australian Open: Cruz Hewitt – Like Father Like Son

Lleyton Hewitt made his Australian Open debut on Court 3 in 1997. Twenty-seven years later, a two-time Major champion watched his 15-year-old sun Cruz Hewitt making his debut at Majors on the same court in the Australian Open junior first round. Cruz met Alexander Razeghi and suffered a 6-2, 6-3 loss in an hour and 26 minutes, giving his best and making his father proud. The Aussie fired five aces, but his initial shot let him down. He lost almost half of the points in his games and suffered four breaks from seven chances offered to his opponent. The American dropped ten points behind his serve, getting broken once from as many chances give to the crowd favorite. Razeghi lost serve at love in the encounter’s first game, producing seven comfortable holds after that and keeping the pressure on Hewitt, who could not endure it. Cruz earned three break points at the beginning of the match after a lucky net cord winner and clinched a break at love after Alexander’s double fault.

Cruz Hewitt, Australian Open 2024© Darrian Traynor / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

15-year-old Cruz Hewitt made his debut at Majors in Melbourne.

Hewitt missed a routine forehand in the second game, losing serve at 15 and bringing his rival back to the positive side. The American grabbed the third game with a service winner and moved 3-1 in front with another break in the next one after the Aussie’s massive forehand error, his 11th in the unforced department. They stopped for a few minutes in the fifth game due to the rain delay, continuing without having to leave the court. Razeghi held after Hewitt’s loose backhand, with the young Aussie showing frustration after missing a lot. The rivals endured another rain delay in game six, and Cruz held at 15 after a forced error to reduce the deficit. Alexander held at love in game seven after a service winner, moving 5-2 in front and forcing Cruz to serve to stay in the set. The Aussie created a game point, and the American denied it with a fine defense and a backhand crosscourt winner.

Australian Open 2024© Darrian Traynor / Stringer – Getty Images Sport

Razeghi earned a set point after Hewitt’s wayward forehand and seized it after another wild forehand from the home player for 6-2. The 6th seed held in the second set’s first game after a service winner following a net cord and pushed strong in the next one. Alexander painted a backhand crosscourt winner, notching a break and opening a 6-2, 2-0 advantage. A left-hander grabbed the third game at love after an unreturned serve, extending the gap and moving closer to the finish line. Cruz had to work hard in the fourth game, saving three break points and closing it with an unreturned serve to end his downfall. Razeghi secured the fifth game after Hewitt’s forehand mistake, and the 15-year-old responded with a couple of winners at 1-4, remaining within one break deficit. Alexander painted a forehand down the line winner in game seven, holding at love and moving closer to the finish line. Cruz served to stay in the match at 2-5 and clinched the game after three deuces to prolong the action. The 6th seed served for the victory in the ninth game and held at love when the home player netted a forehand, making a winning start and moving into the second round.