Lleyton Hewitt has advanced to the second round of his final Australian Open with a 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over compatriot James Duckworth.
Hewitt broke Duckworth's serve early in the first set, before the young Aussie broke back to get the match back on level terms. However, Hewitt prevailed in the tiebreak to take a 1-0 set lead.
After a tight first set, Hewitt broke the Duckworth serve early in the set once again. But this time his experience and class shone through, making just three unforced errors for the set, as he consolidated the break to race to a 4-1 lead, before claiming the set 6-2 with another break of serve.
However, Duckworth, finally converted one of his many break points to take an early lead in the third set. But in typical Hewitt fighting fashion, the 34-year-old broke back midway through the set to level at 4-4. Hewitt broke again at 5-4 to seal his passage to the second round, winning the match point with a sublime trademark lob.
The former world No.1 now faces world No.8 David Ferrer in the second round.
