Greg Garber, Senior Writer 9y

The Lleyton Hewitt victory tour marches on

Tennis, WTA

LONDON -- It's been 13 years since he won a Grand Slam singles title, but Lleyton Hewitt still has more energy than a 6-year-old who's just eaten candy.

He had just carved a delicate little lob over a few flailing rackets that gave him and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis three critical break points in a doubles match that was approaching four hours long. Hewitt ran sideways, with clipped, crabbing steps, pumped his fist with gusto and rendered an especially gratifying "Come onnnnnnn!"

Naturally, it was the 34-year-old who served out the match, striking an ace on match point that moved the crowd stuffed in and around Court 14 to produce a prolonged ovation.

And so, after a dramatic 6-7 (6), 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-2, 8-6 victory over No. 15 seeds Marin Draganja and Henri Kontinen, Hewitt's Wimbledon victory tour will continue for at least another match.

For the record, the match featured 366 points and underscored Hewitt's insatiable desire to compete.

Chances are, he and Kokkinakis, who were awarded a wild-card berth here, won't progress to the final. The No. 1 seeds, Bob and Mike Bryan, certainly have a shot at getting back to the final match for the third consecutive year.

In their first-round match, the California twins dispatched lucky losers Gero Kretschmer and Alexander Satschko 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Next up: Americans Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey.

The Bryans made the final recently at Roland Garros, while Mike Bryan teamed with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to win the mixed title in Paris. Bryan and Mattek-Sands are the No. 1 seed at the All England Club.

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