Many things have been said about Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt in recent weeks, and far more will be said after the former world number one retires at the end of this month's Australian Open. However, Hewitt will be hoping that he can fend off the career eulogies for one more match when he takes on eighth seeded David Ferrer on Thursday evening at Rod Laver Arena.
Hewitt's swansong
Before the tournament, the one-time Wimbledon and US Open Champion announced that this would be his final Australian Open. Naturally, this brought forth a wave of nostalgia for the two-time Davis Cup winner, who, for all of his success elsewhere, could never capture the title in Melbourne.
The 2005 finalist began his fortnight in Melbourne with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over James Duckworth. The assembled crowd were treated to a trademark performance from the vet, although it didn't last as long as some of his marathon matches over the years have.
Ferrer ready to face him down
Hewitt's draw has not been kind to him; in his post-match interview he acknowledged that it was difficult to face a fellow Aussie in Duckworth in the first round, and now he has to take on Ferrer, the number eight seed at the tournament.
He may not be in the form that he was back in 2013 when made the Quarterfinals at each of tennis' four majors and was a finalist at Roland Garros, but Ferrer is still a force to be reckoned with. It's hard to find a ball which gets past him, and his boundless energy is a sight to behold on any court.
Much like Hewitt, Ferrer put in a trademark performance in the first round when he defeated Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. The Spaniard's game has not deserted him, and he will be ready to battle not only the man across the net from him but the crowd who will surely fill up Rod Laver Arena.
What should we expect from this match?
Ferrer is far from the worst draw which Hewitt could have received. He may be ranked eighth in the world, but he isn't going to blast the ball past players in the same vein of others at the top of the rankings. At the end of the day, he has enough game to get by the crowd favorite, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the man of the tournament put in one more magic performance in his home nation. One thing's for sure: the atmosphere will be something to behold.
Prediction
Ferrer in five. Hewitt has a propensity for getting into long battles, and with a roaring, partisan crowd behind him won't want to see this last ride come to an end. Yet, Ferrer has the game to beat him. The Spaniard wins in five.