In front of a sun-drenched crowd, Hewitt achieved his own salvation.
Two years ago he played in four championships before losing to Kunieda. In last year’s final he led the first set 4-1 against Oda but lost 11 of the next 13 games.
“Honestly, I’m speechless,” Hewitt added. “It’s been a tough couple of years, we’ve lost twice.
“I don’t want to look here because I’ll probably start crying. I want to thank my team. They’re like my second family. We’ve been through a lot together, a lot of ups and downs, a few lows.
“But no matter how many times I fall, I can get back up and keep going, and it’s all thanks to you.”
This was the title Hewitt wanted and he got off to a fast start, converting an eighth break point and opening the match with a powerful forehand winner to take a 2-1 lead.
But Dela Fuente, who defeated defending champion Oda in the last four to reach her first Grand Slam singles final, immediately fought back.
Hewitt, the second seed, struggled with a shoulder problem at the start of the tournament but quickly found her form in the final and was soon playing at a higher level than Dela Puente.
He broke his opponent twice after dominating the approach and won a superb first set in 40 minutes after Dela Fuente returned a strong first serve long.
