De Minaur Advances Past Cruz Hewitt in Washington
Defending champion Alex de Minaur eased past 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt 6-2, 6-3 in the second round of the Washington Open on Friday morning, securing his place in the third round of the ATP 500 event. The match, which was the teenager's ATP Tour debut, was a landmark moment for Australian tennis, pitting the world No. 6 against the son of Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1.
De Minaur, who is bidding to become the first back-to-back Australian champion in Washington since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004-05, broke Hewitt's serve four times and saved all three break points he faced. The 27-year-old's clinical display underscored the gap in experience and ranking, but the on-court embrace afterward showed the deep bond between the two players.
"We're going to play each other for the next 10 years of our lives," De Minaur told Hewitt at the net, a sentiment he later expanded on in his on-court interview. "It was definitely weird," he admitted. "I knew I was going to play him on the tour some day, but I didn't actually expect it to be this week. It was an amazing feeling. Even all the lead-up, seeing all the incredible pictures that we have together and how we've both grown up. I'm glad I managed to get through, but I'm sure we're going to have many battles in the years to come."
Cruz Hewitt, who recently finished runner-up at the Wimbledon boys' tournament, was making his ATP Tour main-draw debut after coming through qualifying. Despite the loss, his performance showed why many consider him one of Australia's brightest prospects. He is expected to aim for a wildcard or qualifying spot for the Australian Open senior draw in January.
Washington Open: A Stage for Australian Tennis Legacy
The Washington Open has long been a happy hunting ground for Australian players. Ken Rosewall won the title in 1970, defeating American Marty Riessen in the final, and Tony Roche followed in 1971, also beating Riessen. Lleyton Hewitt added his name to the list in 2004, defeating Luxembourg's Gilles Muller in straight sets. Nick Kyrgios then became the fourth Australian champion, and now De Minaur is carrying that banner as the defending champion.
De Minaur's path in Washington this week has been far from easy. In the first round, he faced Stefanos Tsitsipas, a former world No. 3 who had won 12 of their previous 13 meetings. De Minaur turned the tide with a gritty 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory, saving a break point in the final set and converting his opportunities when it mattered.
"It's no secret my head-to-head isn't the greatest against him," De Minaur said after that win. "He's gotten the better of me many, many times. But today I played the match on its own merits, and ultimately found a way in a tricky, tricky match."
The win over Hewitt set up a third-round meeting with Brandon Nakashima, the American who reached the quarterfinals here last year. De Minaur will be wary of Nakashima's big serve and aggressive baseline game, but the Australian's defensive skills and ability to counter-punch should give him an edge.
Cruz Hewitt's Rapid Rise
Cruz Hewitt's arrival on the ATP Tour has been one of the most anticipated in Australian tennis since Nick Kyrgios burst onto the scene in 2013. At just 17, he has already shown maturity beyond his years, combining raw power with a developing all-court game. His run to the Wimbledon boys' final was a breakout moment, and his qualifying success in Washington demonstrated his ability to compete against seasoned professionals.
Hewitt's father, Lleyton, is Australia's Davis Cup captain and has been a mentor to De Minaur throughout the latter's career. The family connection added an emotional layer to Friday's match. Lleyton watched from the players' box, torn between pride for his son and support for his longtime protégé.
De Minaur acknowledged the peculiar dynamic. "I would expect him to be in his son's box, and rightfully so," he said earlier in the week. "I've known Cruz since he was a little kid, running around with a racket bigger than him. To see him now playing big-boy tennis is amazing."
Cruz Hewitt's post-match comments reflected his characteristic composure. "It was a great experience," he said. "Alex is one of the best in the world, so I knew I had to play my best. I think I did in patches, but he was too solid. I'll learn a lot from this."
The teenager is already looking ahead, with plans to qualify for or receive a wildcard into the Australian Open senior draw in January. With his rapid development, it may not be long before Hewitt and De Minaur are meeting in later rounds of Grand Slams.
Women's Draw: Eala Continues Breakthrough Season
While the men's draw is headlined by De Minaur's title defense, the Washington Open's WTA 500 event has also produced compelling storylines. Filipina star Alexandra Eala continued her remarkable 2026 season by defeating defending champion Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) in the second round, recording her first career win over a left-handed player.
Eala, 21, rallied from 5-1 down in the second set to force a tiebreak and then dominated it, showcasing her mental resilience. "Everything's kind of a blur right now," she said. "I really made an effort to stay in the moment, and I was ready for anything that could have happened."
The victory was Eala's latest milestone in a breakthrough year that included a win over Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and a run to the last 16, making her the first Filipino to reach that stage at a Grand Slam. She is now just five ranking points shy of a career-high world No. 27, and her draw in Washington has opened up nicely with other seeds falling.
Eala could face either Polina Kudermetova or Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. She has already beaten Svitolina this season on the grass of Berlin. A potential meeting with Naomi Osaka, who also advanced to the quarterfinals after Ashlyn Krueger retired injured, would be a blockbuster.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, showed her class in her third-round match, leading 6-3, 3-1 when Krueger was forced to retire with a right ankle injury. "It's a tough situation, and I hope that she gets better ASAP," Osaka said. The Japanese star is looking to add a second Washington title to her resume after winning here in 2023.
De Minaur's Title Defense: A Test of Consistency
De Minaur's decision to defend his Washington title rather than rest ahead of the US Open is a testament to his commitment to building momentum. The Australian has been one of the most consistent performers on the ATP Tour over the past two years, reaching the quarterfinals of multiple Grand Slams and establishing himself in the top 10.
Washington is the only ATP/WTA combined 500 event on the calendar, and De Minaur has made it his own. He is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Juan Martin del Potro in 2013-14. The fast hard courts suit his aggressive baseline game, and he has shown no signs of the hip injury that troubled him earlier in the season.
The win over Tsitsipas was particularly significant, as it snapped a losing streak against the Greek that dated back to 2019. "I'm happy with how it went today," De Minaur said after that match. "I served well when I needed to, and I think I managed the big points better than I have in the past against him."
In the third round, De Minaur will face Brandon Nakashima, a player known for his composure on big stages. Nakashima reached the fourth round of the US Open in 2022 and has already won two ATP titles this year. The American's serve-and-forehand combination will pose a different challenge than Tsitsipas's all-court game, but De Minaur's return of serve and defensive skills should neutralize much of that threat.
A New Era for Australian Tennis?
The all-Australian clash in Washington was more than just a second-round match; it was a symbolic passing of the torch. Lleyton Hewitt, now 45, watched from the stands as his son faced the player he has mentored for over a decade. The fact that De Minaur, the current standard-bearer of Australian tennis, is now facing the next generation is a sign of healthy depth in the country's player development system.
With De Minaur in the top five, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson also in the top 50, and Cruz Hewitt emerging as a future star, Australian tennis is experiencing a renaissance not seen since the days of Hewitt and Pat Rafter.
De Minaur's battles with Hewitt are likely to become a recurring feature of the tour. Their contrasting styles—De Minaur's relentless speed and consistency against Hewitt's power and serve—could produce classic matches in the years to come. The next chapter may come as soon as the Australian Open, where Hewitt could earn a wildcard, setting up a potential third-round showdown at Melbourne Park.
Beyond the individuals, the Washington Open is also a testing ground for the next generation. Players like Eala, Hewitt, and others are using this tournament to build confidence and gain experience against top-tier opposition. The results at this week's event suggest that the future of tennis is in good hands.
What This Means for the US Open and Beyond
As the Washington Open moves into its final weekend, the results are shaping the narrative for the upcoming US Open. De Minaur is expected to be a contender in New York, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2024 and the fourth round in 2025. His ability to defend his Washington title would give him a massive confidence boost. A deep run in the nation's capital could make him one of the favorites at Flushing Meadows.
For Cruz Hewitt, the Washington experience has been invaluable. Competing against a top-10 player in a 500-level event, with the pressure of the family legacy, will serve him well as he transitions to the professional tour full-time. His coach and father, Lleyton, will ensure he stays grounded.
On the women's side, Eala's emergence as a top-30 player is one of the stories of the year. Her aggressive style and fearless attitude have drawn comparisons to a young Serena Williams. If she can maintain this trajectory, she could be a dark horse at the US Open.
Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, is finding her form again. After a middling 2025 season, she has reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and now Washington, and she appears to be peaking at the right time. A deep run here could set up a fascinating hard-court season.
Conclusion: A Week of Milestones in Washington
The Washington Open has delivered on its promise of compelling storylines. De Minaur's steady march through the draw, Cruz Hewitt's debut, Eala's breakthrough, and Osaka's resurgence have all been highlights. As the tournament heads into its climax on Sunday, the focus will be on who can lift the trophy, but the broader implications for Australian tennis and the wider tour are already clear.
De Minaur's next test against Nakashima will be a litmus test of his readiness to defend his crown. If he wins, he could set up a semifinal against the likes of Taylor Fritz, who has also advanced comfortably. The Australian has already beaten Fritz this season, but the American will have the home-crowd advantage.
The Washington Open may be a small piece of the tennis calendar, but it often serves as a launchpad for late-summer success. For De Minaur, it is the perfect platform to make a statement ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year. For Cruz Hewitt, it is just the beginning of what promises to be a long and successful career. And for fans of tennis, the all-Australian battle will be a memory to cherish as the sport's next generation takes center stage.
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