MELBOURNE — Lleyton Hewitt bade an emotional farewell under the Australian Open floodlights on Thursday as David Ferrer snuffed out any chance of fairytale final flourish from the local hero.
After world number two Andy Murray had trampled on home sensibilities by mauling Australian Sam Groth to reach the third round, the Rod Laver Arena crowd settled in to watch former world number one Hewitt try to extend his illustrious singles career for at least another two days.
Eighth-seeded Spaniard Ferrer played the villain to perfection, however, ending the two-times grand slam champion's record 20th campaign at Melbourne Park with an emphatic 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory.