WASHINGTON — Lleyton Hewitt climbed out of a courtesy car Tuesday afternoon, slung a case of rackets over his shoulder and walked across the Citi Open grounds, accompanied by his 6-year-old son, Cruz, who gave Dad a hand by toting a black gym bag.
More than seven hours later, the elder Hewitt — a former No. 1 and two-time major champion — smacked a volley winner to cap a 25-stroke exchange and finish off a 6-3, 6-4 victory over qualifier John-Patrick Smith in an all-Australian first-round matchup at the U.S. Open tuneup tournament.
Hewitt, wearing his trademark backward white baseball cap, pumped his fist.