The 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt made his professional Australian Open debut. Lleyton's son faced the former top-2o player Nikoloz Basilashvili on Court 3 and suffered a 6-1, 6-4 defeat in an hour and 13 minutes. The young Aussie fought well in the second set.
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However, it was not enough to keep him in contention against the opponent who competed in the third round in Melbourne two times. The young gun will return to his home Major stronger next year, especially if he achieves good results this season.
Hewitt served at 45%, which plagued his chances. Basilashvili played better behind the first and second serve and controlled the scoreboard. The Georgian took 46% of the return points and delivered four breaks from 12 opportunities.
Cruz seized only one return chance in the first half of the second set but ruined it with back-to-back poor service games. The Aussie missed a backhand after an extended rally in the second game of the match to lose serve.
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The young gun netted a backhand right after the serve in the fourth game, experiencing another break and falling 4-0 behind. Nikoloz served well and wrapped up the opener 6-1 in half an hour. Basilashvili secured another break in the third game of the second set.
Hewitt bounced back and provided his only return game a few minutes later after the rival's backhand error, locking the result at 2-2. The young gun experienced another break in the fifth game, falling behind and sending his rival closer to the top.
Cruz had an opportunity to pull the break back and return to the positive side. He wasted two break points in the sixth game, whichcould have made things more interesting. The youngster struggled in the seventh game and offered his rival four break points.
Hewitt denied them and held, remaining within one break deficit. Basilashvili served well in the eighth game for 5-3 and served for the win at 5-4. The more experienced player came from 0-30 and landed a service winner on a match point to seal the deal.
