Cruz Hewitt falls on the primary Australian Open hurdle

The 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt made his skilled Australian Open debut. Lleyton’s son confronted the previous top-2o participant Nikoloz Basilashvili on Court docket 3 and suffered a 6-1, 6-4 defeat in an hour and 13 minutes. The younger Aussie fought effectively within the second set. 

Nonetheless, it was not sufficient to maintain him in competition towards the opponent who competed within the third spherical in Melbourne two instances. The younger gun will return to his dwelling Main stronger subsequent yr, particularly if he achieves good outcomes this season. 

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 7, 2025

Hewitt served at 45%, which plagued his possibilities. Basilashvili performed higher behind the primary and second serve and managed the scoreboard. The Georgian took 46% of the return factors and delivered 4 breaks from 12 alternatives. 

Cruz Hewitt & NIkoloz Basilashvili, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Cruz seized just one return probability within the first half of the second set however ruined it with back-to-back poor service video games. The Aussie missed a backhand after an prolonged rally within the second recreation of the match to lose serve. 

The younger gun netted a backhand proper after the serve within the fourth recreation, experiencing one other break and falling 4-0 behind. Nikoloz served effectively and wrapped up the opener 6-1 in half an hour. Basilashvili secured one other break within the third recreation of the second set. 

Nikoloz Basilashvili, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Hewitt bounced again and supplied his solely return recreation a couple of minutes later after the rival’s backhand error, locking the consequence at 2-2. The younger gun skilled one other break within the fifth recreation, falling behind and sending his rival nearer to the highest. 

Cruz had a chance to drag the break again and return to the constructive facet. He wasted two break factors within the sixth recreation, which might have made issues extra fascinating. The teenager struggled within the seventh recreation and supplied his rival 4 break factors. 

Hewitt denied them and held, remaining inside one break deficit. Basilashvili served effectively within the eighth recreation for 5-3 and served for the win at 5-4. The extra skilled participant got here from 0-30 and landed a service winner on a match level to seal the deal.