Defending champion Alex de Minaur secured a hard-fought three-set victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Washington Open, overcoming a long-standing stylistic hurdle before setting up a second-round clash against Cruz Hewitt, the son of his mentor Lleyton Hewitt.
The Australian top seed battled past Greece’s Tsitsipas 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on the hard courts of the William H. G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, turning the tide after dropping a tight opening set. According to tournament reports, the victory marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, who has frequently struggled against the aggressive baseline game and heavy one-handed backhand of the former world No. 3 in past encounters.
Overcoming the Tsitsipas Hurdle in Washington
Matches between de Minaur and Tsitsipas have historically favored the Greek star, whose sheer power often pressures the court-coverage skills of the Australian. In this Washington round-of-16 showdown, however, de Minaur adjusted his depth and neutralised Tsitsipas’s serve in the deciding sets.
After conceding the first set 5-7, de Minaur raised his first-serve percentage and exploited unforced errors from the Tsitsipas racquet. By controlling long baseline rallies and defending with exceptional court coverage, de Minaur broke serve at crucial moments in the second and third sets to seal the comeback in two hours and 14 minutes.
Next Opponent: Cruz Hewitt Awaits in the Second Round
Attention at the ATP 500 event now shifts immediately to the next round, where de Minaur will face Cruz Hewitt. The younger Hewitt accepted a wildcard into the Washington main draw, marking a prominent step in the teenager’s professional progression.
Cruz is the son of former Wimbledon and US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt, who currently serves as Australia’s Davis Cup captain and has acted as a long-time mentor and Davis Cup teammate to de Minaur. The upcoming fixture carries considerable sentimental weight for Australian tennis, pitting the reigning Washington champion against the rising prodigy mentored by de Minaur’s own advisor and Davis Cup leader.
Tournament Context and Title Defense
De Minaur entered the American hard-court summer swing looking to defend his hard-earned crown in the United States capital. Washington serves as a vital preparation tournament ahead of the US Open in New York, offering crucial match practice on North American outdoor hard courts.
As the top-seeded player in the draw, de Minaur handles a heavy weight of expectation this week. Navigating an opening test against a top-tier competitor like Tsitsipas proves his hard-court form remains intact following the transition from the European grass-court season.
Match Schedule and How to Follow
The second-round encounter between Alex de Minaur and Cruz Hewitt is scheduled at the Rock Creek Park tennis venue, with official order-of-play announcements issued daily by tournament organizers. Fans can follow live scores and broadcast details through official ATP Tour channels and regional tennis broadcasters.
What are your expectations for the second-round matchup between the defending champion and the son of his mentor? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
