Thank you for following along here on VAVEL. The recap of the match will be up shortly. This is Joshua Coase saying goodbye for now!
"I feel honoured to have this love and support from this crowd."
The Rod Laver Arena crowd are now hearing from Lleyton in an on court interview. Great pictures.
Ferrer goes on to face American Steve Johnson in the third round.
Congratulations to Ferrer, a fantastic performance! But most of the congratulations need to go to the Australian on a remarkable career. Hewitt is: 'maximising your potential' personified.
Hewitt gave it is all and now he comes back out to applaud the fans who give him a rousing reception.
Game, Set and Match David Ferrer 6-2 6-4 6-4.
40-15: Hewitt's return goes wide and it's two match points.
30-15: Great angle on that first serve to swing away from Hewitt.
15-15: Still work to be done as he drives long.
15-0: Punishing groundstrokes from the Spaniard, he wants this match over with.
Ferrer will now serve for the match. One final chance for Lleyton Hewitt.
5-4: Hewitt holds, not going down without a fight!
40-30: Ferrer goes wide with the service return.
30-30: Hewitt nets the forehand.
30-15: Lovely backhand winner down the line from Hewitt.
15-15: Ferrer goes long with the second serve return.
0-15: A double fault opens the game.
5-3: Ferrer holds and is now one game away from a place in the third round.
40-30: Unforced error from Hewitt.
30-30: An aggressive attempt at a Ferrer second serve return goes long.
15-30: Lovely forray to the net from Hewitt edges him ahead in the game once more.
15-15: Ferrer's forehand catches just one inch of the line after he challenged the call. He then won the replayed point.
0-15: Decent opening point won by the Australian.
After an exchange of unpleasantries between Hewitt and the umpire we are back underway.
4-3: But a backhand into the net won't save the other, Ferrer breaks.
30-40: An overhead smash saves one!
15-40: Too much depth on the return from Ferrer brings up two break points.
15-30: Very untimely fourth double fault.
15-15: Ferrer is giving it as good as he gets, taking it to the Australian.
15-0: Make that seven points in a row for Rusty! Incredible running!
3-3: Hewitt breaks! The effort he has put in in this match it is the least he deserves!
0-40: Super cross court backhand winner! Three break points.
0-30: Here we go, the crowd come to life as Hewitt draws the error from the eighth seed.
0-15: Great backhand winner from Hewitt to start this game.
3-2: Hewitt holds. Half an hour into the third set and he is not quite finished yet.
Ad-40: He has followed that up with a great put away at the net.
Deuce: Well saved by Hewitt, lovely backhand winner down the line.
30-40: A punishing 18 shot rally brings up a virtual match point for Ferrer at this stage.
30-30: Hewitt releases his racket in frustration as another grounstroke finds the net.
30-15: Strong return forces Hewitt to net the following groundstroke.
30-0: Second ace of the match for the Australian.
15-0: Hewitt's overhead smash finds the inside of the line.
3-1: Comprehensive hold from Ferrer once more, he's closing in on victory.
40-0: Error from Hewitt.
30-0: Ferrer all over the rallies now, finishing this point off with a backhand cross court pass.
15-0: Hewitt's attempt at bringing Ferrer forward finds the net.
2-1: Too good from Ferrer, he gets the desired break and is now four service holds away from bringing an end to Hewitt's men's singles career.
30-40: One saved. Fighting to stay alive in this contest now.
15-40: This time the net cord can't save Hewitt. Two break points.
15-30: Missed return by the Spaniard.
0-30: The pressure is all back on the Australian now as Ferrer makes a superb half volley.
0-15: Unforced error from Hewitt.
1-1: Big hold from the Spaniard, he continues to keep the home favourite at bay in this match.
Ad-40: Unfortunately his attempted winner up the line goes wide on the big point.
Deuce: Brilliant tennis! The overhead smash pushes Ferrer back to deuce.
40-30: This time he has the chance to turn defence into attack.
40-15: There is a point for his efforts.
40-0: Hewitt has been on the backfoot throughout this game, putting his defences to the test.
30-0: Equisite drop shot.
15-0: Ferrer stops the rally to challenge a call and was correct to do so.
0-1: Great start for Hewitt, he does not want to go down with a whimper. Let's see what he can do during the Spaniard's service game.
Ad-40: Strong backhand from Hewitt brings up another chance to hold.
Deuce: He is not out of jail yet as he nets the forehand.
40-30: Hewitt is already roaring "Come On!" here at the start of the third.
30-30: Sensational passing shot cross court from Hewitt!
15-30: Fearsome return from Ferrer.
15-15: Much stronger point here as he hits an unreturned forehand.
0-15: Unforced error from Hewitt.
Hewitt is now receiving a medical timeout. Is he preparing for his final set at the Australian Open in the men's singles?..
Well that is a shame, the set looked all but over as Ferrer closed in on a double break, but Hewitt made a super comeback and that eighth game was a real epic!
Second Set Ferrer 6-4
40-15: The Spaniard goes long.
40-0: Three set points for Ferrer.
30-0: Lovely touch at the net from Ferrer yet again.
15-0: Purposeful play from Ferrer as Hewitt breaks down first.
There has hardly been time to catch your breath in the last 20 minutes!
5-4: Sealed with an ace, Hewitt holds to force Ferrer to serve out the second set.
40-15: Ferrer misses.
30-15: Strong backhand winner from the Australian.
15-15: A third double fault.
15-0: The opening point on serve goes his way.
Was that Hewitt's final stand?
5-3: Somehow Ferrer has come out of the game unscaved, a super inside out forehand cross court to finish. What a game.
Ad-40: Hewitt misses the return and now Ferrer has a chance to hold.
Deuce: Brutal tennis. Ferrer finally breaks down Hewitt's defence.
40-Ad: Super forehand down the line winner from Hewitt! Break point number seven coming up.
Deuce: Very cagey rally there, both players very passive, Hewitt goes long with the slice backhand.
40-Ad: Ferrer's cross court pass goes wide once more, will Hewitt do it this time?
Deuce: Another extended rally, Hewitt breaks down first and smashes his racket on the ground.
40-Ad: Brillaint return winner cross court from Hewitt! Break point number five.
Deuce: Ferrer puts the overhead smash away and we're at Deuce again!
40-Ad: Another miss from the Spaniard.
Deuce: As the game approaches the eight minute mark Ferrer is resolute on serve.
40-Ad: The Australians are getting pumped, can he do it this time?
Deuce: Hewitt lines it up but misses the second serve return as it hits the net.
40-Ad: The crowd are really involved now, Ferrer goes wide and it is another break point.
Deuce: Strong gutsy play from Ferrer. Fearless as he closes the point at the net.
40-Ad: Break point Hewitt - huge moment.
Deuce: But that forehand was better! Punishing cross court shot is unreturned by Ferrer.
Ad-40: Oh no, having worked so hard to get into the position he misses the forehand wide, it would have been a clean winner!
Deuce: All is not lossed, great passing shot cross court from the Australian.
40-30: Agonisingly Hewitt misses the return.
30-30: Ferrer's forehand breaks down. Opportunity here.
30-15: Ferrer snatches away the opportunity with a volley.
15-15: Good defence from Hewitt, what can he do in this game?
15-0: Ace number four from Ferrer.
4-3: Game Hewitt and what a comeback it was. Had he lost that surely the set and even the match was gone.
Ad-40: The Spaniard let's Hewitt off the hook with another missed return.
Deuce: Missed forehand down the line from Hewitt.
Ad-40: Hewitt is giving his all out here. His first serve is not returned by Ferrer.
Deuce: His hard work is undone by another missed backhand.
Ad-40: More penetration on Hewitt's groundstrokes have helped him work his way back to this position.
Deuce: 24 shot rally, the longest of the match and it is the eighth seed who comes out on top.
Ad-40: Another miss from Ferrer, this time the backhand up the line.
Deuce: The Spaniard then misses the return of serve.
30-40: First serve helps Hewitt save the first break point.
15-40: Sublime inside out forehand cross court from Ferrer.
15-30: Much better, a decent moe forward to the net resulted in the chance to put away the volley.
0-30: Ominous signs now.
0-15: Tired looking shot from Hewitt.
4-2: It is an even quicker hold this time, the first hold to love of the match. Ferrer has dropped just two points on serve this set.
40-0: Missed return from Hewitt.
30-0: The gap between the two players is increasing as Ferrer looks in complete control.
15-0: The net cord does not help the Australian this time round.
3-2: That is just too good. Ferrer breaks and is in control now with a set and a break.
15-40: Ferrer's standard is rising all the time as he brings up two break points.
15-30: Ferrer keeps the shot low enough for Hewitt not to have a play on the volley.
15-15: Point won by Hewitt.
0-15: Fabulous rally, finished with a driven backhand winner from Ferrer.
2-2: Comprehensive hold from Ferrer, his quickest of the evening as we reach the hour mark for the match.
40-15: Another extended rally, this time it is Ferrer who misses first with the forehand wide.
40-0: Ace number three.
30-0: Nice volley cross court winner on the run from the Spaniard.
15-0: Hewitt breaks down in the rally first.
1-2: Game Hewitt: Another great recovery as the Australian roars "COME ON". He is not going down without a fight!
Deuce: Superb improvised volley between the legs from Hewitt is not enough as Ferrer lobs him.
40-30: It took him two overhead smash attempts, but Hewitt wins the point.
30-30: Attempted forehand up the line from Ferrer lands wide.
15-30: Wayward and rushed backhand from Hewitt, danger on serve again.
15-15: Ferrer the stronger player as the rallies go deep.
15-0: Opening point goes to Hewitt on serve.
1-1: Aggressive serving from the eighth seed allows him to rip a forehand down the line winner to hold serve.
40-15: Missed return once more from Hewitt.
30-15: This time Ferrer goes wide.
30-0: Another error from the two time Grand Slam champion.
15-0: Ferrer draws the error from the Australian.
0-1: Big hold from Hewitt and the crowd come to life!
Ad-40: A nice slice backhand from Hewitt forces Ferrer to miss the volley.
Deuce: Missed return from the Spaniard on another break point chance.
40-Ad: Brillaint defence from the Australian, but it was not enough, Ferrer is cruel as he produces a delightful drop shot.
Deuce: Solid volley from Hewitt, with Ferrer's attempted lob then dropping long.
40-Ad: Unforced error from Hewitt. Break point.
Let's hope to see more of a fight and contest in the second set. Early danger on serve as Hewitt is at deuce.
First set Ferrer: 6-2
Ad-40: Set point Ferrer after another missed return of serve.
Deuce: Hewitt gets jammed up on the return.
30-40: A second ace down the middle in the game.
15-40: First break points for Hewitt as Ferrer goes long.
15-30: Timely first ace down the middle from Ferrer.
0-30: Hewitt is not finished with this set yet.
0-15: The Spaniard nets his backhand.
5-2: Half an hour gone and this set looks all but over as Hewitt ends the game with an error.
15-40: Ferrer misses the return.
0-40: Very untimely double fault from the Australian.
0-30: His cross court backhand goes wide once again.
0-15: Error from Hewitt.
4-2: That is three games in a row now for Ferrer. Come on Rusty!
40-30: Agonising for Lleyton as the backhand goes wide.
30-30: Inside out forehand from Ferrer is too strong to get back into play.
15-30: The net cord goes the Australian's way once again.
15-15: Cancelled out by a scintillating return winner from Hewitt!
15-0: Strong serve from the eighth seed.
3-2: Ferrer breaks after a poor backhand miss from Hewitt.
30-40: Missed return from Ferrer.
15-40: Danger for the Australian.
15-30: Ferrer is far more aggressive in the majority of rallies but as Hewitt looks to counter his forehand drops wide.
15-15: Good depth on the return see's Hewitt net the reply.
15-0: Miss from Ferrer.
2-2: A "vamos" from Ferrer as he holds another tough service game.
Ad-40: Ferrer resisting the pressure with a winner of his own.
Deuce: Brilliant forehand cross court winner.
40-30: Missed return from the former world number one.
30-30: Frustrating miss as Hewitt drives the backhand long.
15-30: Spaniard's forehand catches the top of the tape and drops back on his side of the court.
15-15: Super combination from Ferrer, finished with a strong cross court forehand winner.
0-15: First point goes to Hewitt.
1-2: Decent hold from Hewitt as the eighth seed misses another groundstroke.
40-30: Missed return from Ferrer.
30-15: Unforced error from Hewitt.
30-0: Strong start on serve this time from the Australian, a forehand winner paints the line.
1-1: And with Hewitt's forehand going long, Ferrer holds.
Ad-40: Oh that's disappointing, Hewitt does all the hard work in the rally and then misses the put away volley!
Deuce: First double fault from Ferrer.
Ad-40: This time his volley is much better.
Deuce: Here we are again as Ferrer nets the forehand.
40-30: Hewitt puts the return beyond the baseline.
30-30: The Spaniard's volley is far too casual as it goes wide.
30-15: Point won by Ferrer.
15-15: Hewitt goes to Hawkeye which reveals that his cross court winner court the line.
15-0: Error from Hewitt.
0-1: Game Hewitt, forehand winner from the Australian.
Ad-40: The eigth seed drives just wide with the cross court forehand.
Deuce: Hewitt battles to draw the error from the Spaniard.
30-40: 16 stroke rally, Ferrer finishes with a forehand winner.
30-30: Erro from the Spaniard.
15:30: Unforced error from Hewitt.
15-15: Double fault from Hewitt.
15-0: Ferrer nets the return of serve.
Ferrer won the toss and has elected to receive. Not long until the action gets underway now in this second round clash!
What is surprising, considering the longevity of the two players careers, is that they have only met on three previous occassions, with Ferrer leading their head to head 2-1.
Let's not dismiss his chances just yet, both he and Ferrer are two of the biggest competitors to have ever graced the men's tour, so we could be in for a real tussle.
Expect plenty of noise and an incredible atmosphere out on Rod Laver Arena as one of Australia's finest sportsman potentially bids farewell today.
Welcome back live coverage of this Australian Open second round tie! My name is Joshua Coase, and I am happy to be bringing you point-by-point coverage of this second round clash between eighth seed David Ferrer and Lleyton Hewitt, in what could be his final match. Follow it here on VAVEL.
Read a preview to the match from VAVEL’s own Liam McMahon here.
The 34-year-old Aussie will not be leaving tennis anytime soon. Soon after retirement, he’ll be leading Australia’s Davis Cup team as their captain as they hunt for international team glory. Hewitt was a key part in last year’s event, taking part in two of three rubbers as they came back against Kazakhstan. The Aussies were down 0-2 before Hewitt and Groth took the doubles rubber. Then “Rusty” helped clinch the tie in the decisive rubber. The team lost to eventual champions Great Britain in the semifinal.
Both players bring a similar mentality to the game in the sense that neither man’s game is predicated on power but more so consistency, tenacity, and speed. Hewitt is described as a defensive counterpuncher. He offers no penetration in his groundstrokes but uses placement to help him move on the offensive in points. For Ferrer, he’s also a counterpuncher but a more offensive one. The Spaniard is one of the best returners the game has ever seen and has solid groundstrokes on both wings. However just like Hewitt, they both do not have a go-to shot in order to finish off points.
Hewitt opened up his final Australian summer playing at the Hopman Cup. He team up with Jarmila Wolfe for Australia Gold but failed to make it to the final. They did however, see their countryman and countrywoman win as Daria Gavrilova and Nick Kyrgios won the title with Australia Green. He was also a Fast4 participant with countryman Nick Kyrgios. Hewitt defeated fellow countryman and mentoree, James Duckworth in straight sets to set up this blockbuster clash. Hewitt received a wild card to get into the main draw of the tournament.
David Ferrer, the eight seed, is coming off a straight sets win over Peter Gojowczyk. Before this, the Spaniard was struggling to find his form. He was blasted by Jack Sock in Auckland after taking the first set quite convincingly. Before that, he was upset by Illya Marchenko, the last player into the draw in Doha, as he failed to defend his crown. Ferrer’s best run at Melbourne Park was a semifinal showing back in 2013.
Anyway, now onto the tennis. Hewitt and Ferrer will be first up on Rod Laver Arena on primetime tonight. Though many wonder why a match of this caliber and such implications isn’t last on Melbourne Park’s grandest court, each Slam looks to be as fair as possible to have the same amount of men’s and women’s matches last on court. Following the Hewitt-Ferrer match will be ninth-seeded Karolina Pliskova and Julia Goerges. This match has upset potential written all over it as the German has picked up her game as of late and can go toe-to-toe with any woman on the WTA when she’s peaking. It also doesn’t help that Pliskova’s best Slam results have all been third rounds which means the upset potential is huge here.
Now, it’s Hewitt’s time. One final shot for Rusty. The Australian Open and the French Open are the two Slams that have evaded Hewitt. He was a finalist in Melbourne once; in 2005, he lost to Marat Safin after taking the opening set. There’s no doubt that the Australian Open has the best home support of all the Grand Slams, sorry to the rest of Slams. No other fan support group has coined themselves “The Fanatics” or start dancing and chanting for their player of rooting interest after each point. The best chant of them all is, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. OI, oi, oi.” Nothing beats the sound of that support when you’re down or even up in a match. Win or lose tonight, Hewitt’s captured the heart of all the “Fanatics” down in Australia and all over the world and then some. There’s no way to describe what the atmosphere will be like tonight… Rocking, raucous, or rambunctious won’t even fit the bill. All you need to know is that Rod Laver Arena will be absolutely electric tonight… Even more so if Hewitt can conjure up magic once more and pull off the upset.
Here's a fun fact for you. 10 years ago at the 2006 US Open was Agassi's final tournament and Grand Slam where he was going to retire once he was beaten or won. In the second round, he played the eight seed and won. Fast forward to now. This is Hewitt's final tournament and Grand Slam where he will retire once he is beaten or wins. He'll play the eight seed. Agassi won in five. How will Hewitt fare tonight.
From most recent times, Andre Agassi is the most prominent male player to have announced that they were going to retire at their home Slam. This happened back in 2006. Agassi went on to make it to the third round of the event, won his second round match in a five set thriller against Marcos Baghdatis but lost in the third round. Australian fans and tennis fans all over the world would love to see a repeat of what happened in Agassi’s second round match here.
Every Grand Slam has such an aura to it, just for the sheer fact that it’s a Grand Slam. But this is different. Very different. Not many times do we know that coming into a major that a player is set to retire once they lose (or win). No one saw the retirement of Marion Bartoli coming soon after she won the Wimbledon title back in 2013. It was also a complete curveball when Flavia Pennetta announced her retirement last year after securing her biggest title and lone major, the US Open. Pete Sampras didn’t officially retire until a year after his final Grand Slam, the 2002 US Open, but didn’t play in the following 12 months after that title. No one knew Sampras was leaving the sport for good on top, let alone at home.
Welcome to live coverage of this Australian Open second round tie! My name is Joshua Coase, and I am happy to be bringing you point-by-point coverage of this second round clash between eighth seed David Ferrer and Lleyton Hewitt, in what could be his final match. Follow it here on VAVEL. From now until the match begins at approximately 3:00 AM ET, news and notes will be above to get you up to speed. Be sure to return at match time for point by point updates!