At just 16, Cruz Hewitt has carved his path to his first professional final at the M25 Launceston Futures, an impressive feat for this rising star. This marks his fourth venture into the Futures event, a testament to his budding career. Cruz demonstrated his potential by defeating six opponents, paving his way to his inaugural professional final.
The young prodigy showcased his prowess in the qualifying rounds, overcoming formidable opponents Sergej Todorovic and Tomislav Edward Papac. Undeterred by the competition, Cruz clinched all four sets, earning his place in the main draw. Despite eventually losing to the seasoned player, Alex Bolt, Cruz’s journey to the runner-up position was indeed a commendable one.
In the first round, Cruz faced Ethan Cook, an encounter that stretched for nearly two hours. Despite Cook’s commendable effort, resulting in a 2-6 win in the first set, Cruz made a remarkable comeback. He mirrored Cook’s performance in the second set and forced a decider, eventually claiming six of the final seven games for a 6-2, 6-3 victory.
The second round saw Cruz pitted against Dane Sweeny, where he secured a top-700 win. The intense match, lasting over two hours, saw Cruz clinching a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. His first professional quarter-final win was no less than a spectacle, as he managed to turn tables in his favor from a 3-4 disadvantage, forcing a decider and serving well to stay on the course of the title.
The semi-final brought Cruz against world no. 224 Yu Hsiou Hsu. Trailing initially, Cruz made a remarkable comeback, taking four straight games for a 7-5 triumph. The second set saw both contestants serving well, until Cruz broke the pattern with a crucial break at 6-5, securing his place in the semi-final.
The semi-final presented Cruz with Sanhui Shin as his opponent. After a nail-biting match of over two hours, Cruz emerged victorious with a 7-6, 1-6, 6-3 scoreline, earning him a spot in the title clash. Despite an early loss in the opener, Cruz outperformed his rival in the tie-break. After trading early breaks in the final set, he claimed another in the eighth game and defended three break points, thereby securing his spot in the final.
The final pitted Cruz against the more experienced Alex Bolt, the favorite for the title. Despite a promising start, Cruz succumbed to Bolt’s expertise, resulting in a 6-2, 6-4 loss. However, Cruz’s journey to the final of the M25 Launceston Futures at such a young age is a testament to his potential and a promise of a bright future in the sport.