Cruz Hewitt makes first professional tennis final after a tough three-set win

The dream week for Cruz Hewitt has continued in Launceston with the young gun one win away from doing what his father, Lleyton, did when he was 16 after winning his semi on Saturday.

Cruz Hewitt is on the verge of emulating his famous father by winning his breakthrough tournament at just 16 after gritting his way to a semi final win at the Launceston International on Saturday.

Hewitt showed the mental strength and resilience that two-time major winner Lleyton was famous for to overcome South Korea’s Sanhui Shin 7-6 (1) 1-6 3-6 in just over two hours.

After a gruelling week including two previous three-setters, the teenager could have been excused for throwing in the towel after his opponent dominated the second set.

Shin looked set for victory when he broke Hewitt in the first game of the deciding set, and was up 40-0 in the second game.

But after Shin double faulted three times, Hewitt took advantage to break straight back.

He broke again for a 5-3 lead and despite double faulting twice when serving for the match at 0-30, he kept his composure to complete the job.

It’s a much bigger tournament than Launceston’s ITF event, but Lleyton also won his maiden title aged 16 at the Adelaide International in 1998.

Cruz Hewitt in action earlier this week at the Launceston International. The son of Lleyton is through to Sunday's final. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

He announced his arrival by shocking superstar Andre Agassi in the semis, before beating fellow Australian Jason Stoltenberg in the final.

Asked what got him over the line, Cruz said: “Just the mentality to keep fighting like my dad did, I guess.

“Every point matters, I didn’t want to go anyway and show him anything.

“It feels really good. I’m super proud of my efforts this week and let’s keep it going for one more match tomorrow.

“It (crowd) felt like the Australian Open, they were really loud and in those tough moments I think that got me through, that’s why I got the win in the end.”

Hewitt said he refused to wilt when staring defeat in the face down a break in the third set and 40-0.

“I just felt at that stage I had to stay on him every point because you never know what can happen. I was really proud of how I competed today,” he said.

“I don’t mind the long matches. I know I’ve put the work in with my team and I’m super confident in them.

“I’m super proud to back up the matches I have been (this week). That’s a big step forward in my game because I haven’t done it in the past.”

Cruz Hewitt in action in the Junior Boys' component of the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

Hewitt revealed he had to miss his racquet stringer’s wedding to play the semi, and was unsure whether his father would be courtside for Sunday’s final.

He said it would be nice to emulate his father by raising a trophy at 16.

“Obviously it would be, but I’ll do the same things I”ve been doing and leave it all out there,” he said.

He will take on last week’s Burnie International winner Jason Kubler, who beat America’s Christian Langmo in two gruelling sets 7-6 (12-10) 7-5.

In the women’s draw, the sole Australian left standing Lizette Cabrera rallied from a set down to defeat South Korea’s Yeonwoo Ku.

Queenslander Cabrera was hit off the court in the opening set 6-1 inside 25 minutes, before the fourth seed won the next two sets 6-2 6-4.

She will play Japan’s Sakura Hosogi in Sunday’s final after she upset third seed Tessah Andrianjafitrimo in the other semi 4-6 6-1 6-4.

Andrianjafitrimo won last week’s Burnie International, but Hosogi broke back after a marathon game to level the third set at 4-all before winning the next two games.