Coleman Wong Crushes Cruz Hewitt In Shanghai Masters Qualifying As Lleyton Hewitt's Son Falls In Debut
SHANGHAI — Hong Kong's Coleman Wong defeated Australian teenager Cruz Hewitt 6-4, 6-1 on Monday in the first round of qualifying at the Shanghai Masters, ending the Masters 1000 debut of the son of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
Wong, the ninth seed in qualifying, needed just two sets on Stadium Court to advance to the final round of qualifying, leaving him one win away from a place in the main draw of one of the biggest tournaments on the men's tour.
The 17-year-old Hewitt, ranked No. 322 in the world, was playing in Shanghai on a qualifying wildcard. It was his first appearance at the Masters 1000 level, the tier of tournaments just below the four Grand Slams.
Experience proves decisive
The match pitted a player ranked around No. 100 against a teenager still in the early stages of his professional career, and the gap in experience showed.
The opening set was the more competitive of the two, with Hewitt staying with the more experienced Wong for much of the set. But Wong did enough to close it out 6-4.
The second set was one-sided. Wong raised his level and dropped just one game, closing out the match in straight sets.
Wong will next play in the final round of qualifying, with a spot in the main draw at stake.
A city of significance for the Hewitts
Although his stay was brief, Cruz Hewitt's appearance in Shanghai carried special meaning for his family.
His father, Lleyton Hewitt, won the Tennis Masters Cup, now known as the ATP Finals, in Shanghai in 2002, successfully........
