Lleyton Hewitt to play doubles at New York Open with Alexei Popyrin
Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt and rising Australian star Alexei Popyrin will play doubles together at the New York Open.
The Australian Davis Cup Team Captain and 19-year-old Popyrin were granted a doubles wildcard into the New York men's doubles event.
Hewitt, 37, was expected to play doubles in New York alongside fellow compatriot Alex de Minaur.
Unfortunately, de Minaur was forced to withdraw from New York.
"Unfortunately, I contracted an illness during Davis Cup and have had medical advice to withdraw from the New York Open. I am disappointed and look forward to potentially competing there in 2020. I wish the tournament organisers and all the fans a great event next week," de Minaur said in a Twitter post.
However, de Minaur's withdrawal didn't led to Hewitt skipping New York as well as the 37-year-old managed to find a replacement.
Hewitt and Popyrin are set to debut as a team at the ATP 250 event in New York as they have no previous appearances together.
The Australians haven't been handed an easy draw as they are due to meet fourth-seeded Robert Lindstedt and Tim Puetz in their New York opener.
Doubles specialists Lindstedt and Puetz debuted as a pair at last week's Open Sud de France in Montpellier.
Lindstedt, 41, and 31-year-old didn't have a memorable debut as they were beaten in their Montpellier opener by Ken Skupski and Neal Skupski.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2E4eavl
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