Retiring Hewitt slams match-fixing slur as farce

Melbourne, January 21

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Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt slammed match-fixing allegations as an “absolute farce” on Thursday as his emotional retirement at the Australian Open was tainted by the corruption claims which have rocked tennis.

Hewitt, after going down fighting to David Ferrer at his farewell tournament, rounded on an anonymous online blog linking his name to the explosive report which has overshadowed the year’s first Grand Slam.

The 34-year-old Australian called it a “joke” and an “absolute farce” that he should be linked with the match- fixing allegations outlined by the original BBC and Buzz Feed report, which did not reveal any names.

“I think it’s a joke to deal with it. You know, obviously, yeah, there’s no possible way,” said Hewitt, after exiting in the second round.

“I know my name’s now been thrown into it. I don’t think anyone here would think that I’ve done anything (like) corruption or match-fixing. It’s just absurd.

“For anyone that tries to go any further with it, then good luck. Take me on with it. Yeah, it’s disappointing. I think throwing my name out there with it makes the whole thing an absolute farce.” — AFP

Highlights day 4

Wawrinka checks Stepanek

Fourth seed and two-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland breezed past Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek 6-2 6-3 6-4 to progress to round three, where he will face Czech Republic’s Lukas Rosol.

Sela knocks out Verdasco

Israel’s Dudi Sela progressed to the third round with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-6(4) win over Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, who had knocked out 14-time Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal in his previous match.

Raonic tops Robredo

Canadian 13th seed Milos Raonic is through to round three after he served 24 aces during his 7-6(6) 7-6(5) 7-5 win over Spain’s Tommy Robredo. Raonic next plays Serbia’s Viktor Troicki.

Siegemund stuns Jankovic

Germany’s Laura Siegemund rallied from a set down to progress to round three with a 3-6 7-6(5) 6-4 win over Serbian 19th seed and former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic.

Allertova stuns Lisicki

Czech Republic’s Denisa Allertova dumps German Sabine Lisicki with a 6-3 2-6 6-4 win. 

Muguruza romps 

Third seed Garbine Muguruza continued her impressive start with a 6-4 6-2 demolition of Belgian Kirtsten Flipkens at Rod Laver Arena. “I’m extremely happy with today, Kirsten has a really different game and it can be tricky so I’m very happy to be in the third round,” Muguruza said courtside.