Cruz Hewitt out of Australian Open Boys tournament after valiant effort in front of packed crowd

What's in a surname indeed as Cruz Hewitt brought an army of Australian fans with him on Court Three but it was in vain as the rising star lost albeit to the top seed in the boys tournament at the Australian Open.

Hewitt was facing Jan Kumstat who lost in the final in 2024. The latter took the first set comfortably with ease 6-3. The second was more of an arduous slog as Hewitt came back from a break down early in the set to push him to a tie-break.

He went 3-1 up and was given a bit of a gift as the No.1 seed's strings broke at 6-6 helping Hewitt claim a set point opportunity. But while he crafted it, he couldn't convert.

Kumstat was too strong and finished the match off with a backhand return winner down the line winning 6-3, 7-6(7). So while he went out he did put up a good account of himself. Those on social media quipped that he did have something in his locker and while he is yet to break out, the pressure that is perhaps exerted on these children of big names is hard to break out of.

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For instance Leo Borg song of Bjorn Borg has received opportunities and while he is getting better, the hype centered around these players can either make or break them. Hewitt looks to rise above that though but won't do so this year. Albeit at only 16 there is a lot of time.

Elsewhere, Emerson Jones who is perhaps on a larger upward trajectory in the girls tournament is through. The Aussie top seed is getting to the point where she is becoming one of the top ranked players in the country and a big hope.

She saw off Thea Frodin losing the first set in a tight tie-break but she used controlled aggression and consistency to take the next two sets 6-2, 6-3. So while one big name Aussie departs, another continues in their quest.

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