Lleyton Hewitt emerged victorious in an all-Aussie knockout at the Citi Open ATP event in Washington to advance past Marinko Matosevic into the tournament’s last 16.
Hewitt continued his US Open preparation with a 6-4, 6-3 win in 80 minutes for the 14th seed’s first Citi Open win since 2009 after first taking home honours at the Washington tournament a decade ago.
The 33-year-old converted four of eight breakpoints and will face second seed Milos Roanic or American Jack Sock in the next round.
“It’s a lot harder playing fellow Australians now because I’ve tried to help a lot of the other guys,” Hewitt said.
“Obviously as the elder statesman, especially in terms of Davis Cup, (I’ve been) trying to get these guys up there and get them a lot better.
“You work on some of their weaknesses and then it can cost you when you’re playing against them.
“We both know each other’s games really well. I’ve tried to help Marinko – especially probably the last four of five years – in taking the next step, and it’s not easy playing against him.”
Hewitt is making a late transition from grass to hard courts after claiming a win in Newport three weeks ago. The former world No.1’s late career revival appears to be winding down after a disappointing Grand Slam run this year while speculation continues next month’s US Open could be his last.
A string of wins for Bernard Tomic came to an end in a 6-4, 7-6 loss to Denis Istomin in Washington.
Coming off just his second ATP title in Columbia a fortnight before, the 21-year-old failed to keep his six consecutive wins alive while fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Sam Groth followed with first round exits.
Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images
