Reaction from Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic after the two Australians played out a dramatic five set match in the second round of the US Open on Thursday (3rd September). In what would be his final match at the US Open ever, Hewitt fought back from two sets down to force a decider but fell just short of completing the comeback. Tomic prevailed, eventually winning, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5.

Script: SOUNDBITE: (English) Lleyton Hewitt, lost to Bernard Tomic 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7, (on what he will miss about the US Open):

"Yeah, just great atmosphere like tonight. Especially the night matches are really special at the Open here. I've been fortunate to play in so many long four and five set matches out there on all three of the major courts. You know, it was a great atmosphere out there again tonight."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Lleyton Hewitt, lost to Bernard Tomic 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, 5-7:

"Yeah, it was really awkward. I said it would be before the match, and it was. As I said before, I get along really well with Bernie. Yeah, he's a good guy. He's moving in the right direction. You know, the last couple years I've gone out of my way to try to help him out a lot. Yeah, I think it was awkward for both of us."

Q. "Do you think something like this does something good for him?"

"Probably, yeah, in the long run I think. He obviously was well on top. Yeah, I was able to somehow find a way. That's what I've been renowned for in my career. If I can instil a little bit of that especially into the three promising young guys on the way up, you know, with their games and the weapons they have, then that's just another positive for them."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Bernard Tomic, defeated Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5, (on what he said at the net):

"I think I said, 'Why did you have to come back?' I just said, 'Why did you have to? It's too good.' In my mind, I thought he won the match. You know, it was very emotional for us. He wished me the best of luck. I'm very good friends with him. For me, it's not easy to see that."