Cruz Hewitt loses boys’ singles final to American Jordan Lee
London: Cruz Hewitt will have to wait a little longer to join his father as Wimbledon champion.
The 17-year-old rising star, who grew up ahead of Australia following Lleyton in his final days as a player, fell agonizingly short in the men’s singles final on Sunday, losing 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to American qualifier Jordan Lee.
Hewitt knocked out four seeded opponents in a row en route to the final and grabbed a break point to take a 4-1 lead in the deciding set at Wimbledon’s No. 1 venue, but the impressive 16-year-old could not deny her opponent.
He has not lost a set in his five wins this week as he bids to become Australia’s first men’s Grand Slam winner on grass court since Luke Saville in 2011. Ash Barty won the girls’ title that same year.
Instead, Hewitt had to settle for second, as Alex de Minaur did in 2016.
“It was a very special week for me. I think I played good tennis too,” Hewitt said.
“I was happy with my level and to be able to get to the final and play on this beautiful course was unreal. Obviously I grew up around this tournament, I saw my dad play and it was a privilege to play on any course here. Thanks to everyone for coming; it was a really good atmosphere.”
Young players normally don’t come close to filling a 12,000-plus-seat stadium, even in the final, but there is nothing typical about a youngster in Hewitt’s situation, whose father won two Grand Slam men’s titles and was the youngest world No.1 until Carlos Alcaraz broke that record.
International interest in Hewitt’s progress increased exponentially as the tournament progressed.
Hewitt understandably displayed more nerves than in his previous matches; This included stumbling while trying to serve in the first set at 5-2. This coincided with Lee raising his level significantly.
Hewitt’s father cut a mostly relaxed figure in his son’s players’ box, alongside former player and Davis Cup assistant Jaymon Crabb, coach Wayne Arthurs, mother Bec, sister Ava, manager Jedd Zetzer and Davis Cup team manager Kathryn Oyeniyi.
But Lleyton knew when he was needed. Serving for the second time in the set, Hewitt made it 40-15 and Lleyton jumped up from his chair to encourage his son.
One point later, Hewitt was back on her feet, pumping her fists just like in her heyday, as she took a one-set lead.
The second set began as the latter stages of the first set ended, with Lee increasingly winning his share or more of the points. The American gave Hewitt a different look, standing further back on the return to blunt the serve that took him to the final.
There was drama in the second game of the second set, when Hewitt was desperately chasing a ball when he was facing break point but couldn’t get to it in time.
A review requested by Hewitt confirmed the double jump.
The young Australian regained the break, but was given over again for a double fault. Lee also had consecutive steady points of 3-5 on Hewitt’s serve, only to get out of trouble. Then it was Lee’s turn to show some vulnerability, committing some loose mistakes while failing to serve the road.
Hewitt twice took five-point points, but Lee upset a superb backhand winner after a gripping baseline change to bring up the fourth set point.
Hewitt’s backhand then faltered, but only after one of Lee’s shots barely caught the back of the line.
Losing the set presented Hewitt with a new challenge that he had not been able to handle this week. His response was perfect and another example of how far he has come. Lee fell behind 0-40, then saved a break point before the Australian hit a stunning backhand that was never to be regained.
At that moment both Arthurs and Lleyton instantly jumped to their feet to convey the instructions to Hewitt.
Hewitt almost made a breakthrough at 3-1, but Lee tried hard to maintain contact and stay in touch, which quickly became critical.
In the eighth game, a lucky net cord went Lee’s way and pinned Hewitt, who was unable to get the ball back over the net. At the break point, Hewitt curled a backhand shot into the net to leave the final set locked at four.
Tensions suddenly rose and Hewitt struck again, raising the bar with a crosscourt forehand to beat the American and create his own break point. However, Lee escaped once again and took his first lead in the final set.
They exchanged serve holds, but Hewitt’s stray backhand at 5-6 was the beginning of the end. A double fault followed and then Hewitt sought his father’s advice, but he was soon 0-40 down, followed by Lee’s superb backhand strike to claim the title.
Marc McGowan traveled to London with the support of Tennis Australia.
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