Five takeaways from Day 4 at Australian Open
MELBOURNE — On a day when the winners came and went as they were (for the most part) expected to at the Australian Open, it was one loser who made all the headlines: Lleyton Hewitt.
Playing what turned out to be his final singles match of a storied career, the Australian formerly ranked No. 1 left it all out on the court – once again – and then was feted with a champion’s celebration inside Rod Laver Arena.
What else happened in Melbourne while you were sleeping? Find out below.
Seeds hold form: Murray, Azarenka, Wawrinka win
Only one top 16 seed was upset as the biggest names rolled through, including Andy Murray, Victoria Azarenka, Stan Wawrinka, Garbiñe Muguruza and others. Murray, the No. 2 seed, lost a total of just five games (he’s now lost only 11 this entire tournament) to Australian big server Sam Groth, floating into the third round.
Other winners included Americans John Isner and Madison Keys, David Ferrer (who beat Hewitt), Ana Ivanovic, Milos Raonic and Bernard Tomic. Timea Bacsinszky, a French Open semifinalist seeded No. 11, lost in straight sets to Annika Beck.
Hewitt says so-long
It was the perfect fit for a farewell for Hewitt, the U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion, who a year ago announced that this Australian Open would be his last. He pushed Ferrer, the No. 8 seed with gusto, producing some vintage “Rusty” tennis but falling 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Hewitt finishes with two Grand Slams to his name, a 2003 Davis Cup title, more than 600 match wins on tour, 30 singles titles and a runner-up performance here in 2005.
On court after the loss, Hewitt thanked the crowd after a video tribute was played, with messages from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and others.
“The support I’ve had on this court… This is the perfect place to finish,” Hewitt said, flanked by his three young kids. “I was getting goose bumps out here tonight.”
Keys sets Ivanovic showdown
Keys, the American who had her breakout performance here a year ago, dug deep again in the second round, beating Yaroslava Shvedova 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 to set up a blockbuster third round with former world No. 1 Ivanovic. The Serbian, who was a runner-up here in 2008, won their only previous meeting on clay in 2014. But she’s wary of the hard-hitting 20-year-old: “She's very dangerous; big game,” Ivanovic said. “She played well last year here. It’s not going to be an easy matchup.”
Sock socked
While Keys, Isner and Steve Johnson were all winners on the singles side, No. 25 seed Jack Sock was bounced out of the tournament in straight sets by big-serving Lukas Rosol. Sock, who survived a five-setter against American teen Taylor Fritz in the first round, said he was still feeling the affects of strep throat and an upset stomach that left him zapped in the first round. Varvara Lepchenko and Madison Brengle moved on in the women’s draw, while Tim Smyczek fell on the men’s side.
Vika does the dab
Yes, the dab has made its way to tennis. Azarenka, a two-time champion here and former world No. 1, has been dabbing for her entire Australian summer, doing so after each of her five wins in Brisbane last week and now again twice so far in Melbourne. "It comes from American football," Azarenka explained to reporters. "I think it's really fun. It's entertaining. I love doing it."
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