2-time major champ Hewitt, nearing retirement, begins North American hard-court swing with win

Published May 03, 2016

Lleyton Hewitt, of Australia, returns a shot against John-Patrick Smith, of Australia, at the Citi Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

Lleyton Hewitt, of Australia, jumps up for the ball during a match against John-Patrick Smith, of Australia, at the Citi Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) (The Associated Press)

Lleyton Hewitt's final swing through the North American hard-court circuit began with a victory Tuesday at the Citi Open.

Hewitt, a former No. 1 and two-time major champion, beat qualifier John-Patrick Smith 6-3, 6-4 in an all-Australian first-round matchup at the U.S. Open tuneup tournament.

The 34-year-old Hewitt has said he will retire after next year's Australian Open. So he is on something of a farewell tour, receiving wild-card entries into tournaments because his ranking has slid to 163rd after a series of injuries and poor results.

Tuesday's victory over Smith, who is ranked 133rd, was only the third win in singles this season for Hewitt in 10 matches.

His 30 career titles include the U.S. Open in 2001, and Wimbledon in 2002. He won the Washington tournament in 2004.

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