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AAP
AAP
Sport
Darren Walton

Hewitt anoints speed Demon as Australian Open contender

Lleyton Hewitt is backing his Aussie team star Alex de Minaur to be a grand slam challenger. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Lleyton Hewitt has anointed Alex de Minaur as "absolutely" the man to wipe him from a page in the Australian Open history books as hype for the big home hope hits fever pitch.

De Minaur nobly bowed to an hysterical young fan who pleaded with the world No.9 to hand over one of his signature shoes after showing off his phenomenal speed during a blazing twin-win night out at the United Cup on Wednesday.

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