There are thousands of tennis matches played each year.  Some are dull, while others are exciting.  Some barely register as a blip on the radar, while others crown champions.  Then there are those rare matches that are about something more special than advancing to the next round or winning a title.  They are about saying good-bye.  There is no telling for sure when that final match will come to fruition, but for Lleyton Hewitt, it may come on Day 4 of the Australian Open when he faces David Ferrer in the second round.

Hewitt has been soaking up the atmosphere of love and admiration from the fans as he prepares to take his final bow, but there are many who hope that “Rusty” still has a few more match victories in him before that happens.  A two-time major singles champion and the youngest man to ever finish as the year-end No. 1, Hewitt has put together a very strong career.  His fierce and fiery competitive spirit are legendary, and they are a big part of the reason many have been reluctant to discount his chances in a match despite the litany of injuries that have taken a severe toll on his body and game.  Unfortunately for Hewitt, he is playing a man in Ferrer who is as dogged of a competitor as he is.  The Spaniard is a former Roland Garros finalist, who has been a member of the top 10 for some time now.  Like Hewitt, he will fight for every point and make the Australian work hard if he hopes to extend his last journey in Melbourne.

There is no doubt that Hewitt is facing an uphill battle in this contest.  These are two men who possess similar games, but Ferrer does everything a little better.  Each is known for his consistency from the back of the court and retrieving prowess, but Ferrer has the swifter feet and more bite on his groundstrokes.  Additionally, while Hewitt has looked to inflict more damage by running around his backhand more than he did in his younger days, he is not as effective with that play as the eighth seed.  Furthermore, Ferrer gets more zing on his serve and is definitely stronger on the return, which means Hewitt can ill afford to give him too many looks at a second delivery.  There is arguably only one area in their games where the former No. 1 holds the edge, and that is in the forecourt.  Hewitt has always been decent up at the net, but he has improved with age.  He just needs to make sure he comes in on something good, or Ferrer will make him pay.

Of course, when it comes down to it, this match could easily be more about the mental side than how their games compare.  Ferrer, who has far more matches under his belt and enjoys the higher ranking, ought to have more confidence.  The Spaniard also leads their head-to-head 2-1 (coincidentally, their three previous meetings have come at the other three majors).   As the man with the bigger game, he is also the player in the more favorable position to control proceedings.  But Hewitt is the underdog and a favorite native son, so he will have the crowd firmly in his corner.  He takes to the court knowing this match could be his last, which brings some pressure but also freedom.  Win or lose, he is secure in the knowledge that he will walk away with a memorable and contented feeling. And lastly, there is no telling how Ferrer will handle being put in the unenviable position of potentially ending Hewitt's career.  There is nothing that can prepare a player for coming to terms with the notion that he could be the one to possibly end another competitor's career, particularly one who is so beloved and competing in his own backyard.  

Naturally, there are going to be a lot of emotions out on the court when Hewitt and Ferrer do battle for a berth in the third round.  With any luck, there will also be plenty of great tennis.  Time will tell if Hewitt is able to turn back the clock one more time, but it is unlikely.  Instead, look to see Ferrer advance to the next round but both men to walk off with smiles.

That is why they play the game.  That is the phrase that is said in response to an underdog getting the better of her higher-ranked opponent, for although players are seeded according to ranking, draws rarely if ever hold true to form.  Only a few days in, and already there have been some key upsets on the women's side, leaving the door wide open for someone else to step up and take advantage.  Karolina Pliskova, now the highest seed in her quarter of the draw following the early exits of Simona Halep and Venus Williams, is in a prime position to capitalize on that opportunity, but she cannot look past her next opponent, Julia Goerges, if she wants to make the most of it.

A case could be made that this is the moment Pliskova has been waiting for to shine.  The young Czech has been overshadowed by countrywomen Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova, but she is hot on their heels.  She is presently ranked just outside the top 10 and has been as high as No. 7.  She already has four titles to her name, has compiled some impressive wins, and owns an imposing game that a number of people believe could one day earn her a major singles title.

While her forecast was not quite as bright as the ninth seed's, some predicted that Goerges would be a contender for the premier titles in tennis.  She is ranked No. 45 now, but she had climbed up to No. 15 four years ago.  A heavy ball-striker, she has garnered significant victories in her career and shown that when at her best, she is capable of beating anyone on any given day.

Goerges definitely has the potential to be a dangerous foe, and if Pliskova is wise, she will not underestimate her.  The German has a mean first serve and wicked firepower from the ground, especially from her forehand side.  It is sufficient enough to allow her to easily go toe-to-toe with the big-hitting Czech.  That said, Pliskova is generally the more consistent of the pair and holds an edge in the serving department.  The difference-maker, though, could be their backhands.  The German's is a liability, so the ninth seed should aim to find that stroke regularly.  Doing so may not only extract errors from the German's racquet but also frustrate her.

Finding a way to frustrate Goerges early could pay dividends for Pliskova later in the match.  It is true that it may be more difficult to upset the German here than elsewhere in the world.  Melbourne is where she has historically played some of her best tennis, and she names the Australian Open as her favorite tournament.  Goerges also recently reached the final of Auckland, so she ought to have ample confidence while competing Down Under.  But a leopard does not change its spots.  Goerges has always had a tendency to be mentally fragile, which is why she has struggled to maintain a ranking more befitting of her talent.  It does not take much to make her fly off the handle and subsequently spray unforced errors.  If Pliskova can get on top of Goerges early, play within herself, and avoid the pitfalls that come with looking too far ahead, this is her match to not only win but do so in routine fashion.

Then again, not everything has been routine on the women's side  The current state of the draw, specifically the bottom half, is blatant proof of that.  So could Goerges continue to add to the exodus of the seeds by sending the ninth seed packing?  Sure.  That is, after all, why they play the game.  But order is apt to be restored at some juncture, and there is no reason why Pliskova cannot be a part of that restoration.  She has the game.  She has the talent.  She is gaining the experience.  She has never been to the second week of any major, but come Thursday, it is time for her to take one more step toward proving that she is ready to make the next breakthrough in her career.