Australia’s hopes of a homegrown talent winning the Australian Open men’s singles for the first time in 49 years were kept alive on Saturday afternoon by a highly resilient performance from Alex de Minaur.
For the Sydney player, who came from behind to win 7-5, 6-7 (7-3), 3-6, 3-6 against world No. 31 Francisco Cerundro at Rod Laver Arena in the brutal heat on Saturday. Not everything was smooth sailing.
De Minaur was forced to fight back after going down a set, scoring straight-set wins over Botic van de Zandshuilp and Tristan Boyer in what was perhaps his toughest test yet this week.
“The one thing you can always count on is that even if I don’t play my best, I’m going to play till the end,” the Australian said to loud applause from the home fans inside Rod Laver Arena. Ta.
De Minaur has been praised for how calm and collected he has been on court this week, with much expected of the world No. 8 as Australia’s big hope. Today, he cuts a more lively figure. When Cerundolo conceded a match point with a double fault in front of his new fiancée Katie Boulter, he roared and slammed his fist into the corner of the crowd where his girlfriend and coaching staff were sitting.
Looking back on last year’s absence due to injury, the Australian player said, “My legs are back!” It was a wonderful comeback.
Alex de Minaur returned on Saturday and showed resilience in defeating Francisco Cerundro
Katie Boulter nervously watched from the stands as her boyfriend lost by a set.
Cerundro asked de Minaur questions and used his great tennis intelligence to move the Australian around the court.
“My never-say-die attitude, I was able to get the crowd on my side and get the break on the last point. My quadriceps would be bruised, but it was worth it.
“Last year was tough because of injuries. I’ll come back on the court and play, but I won’t be myself.
“It’s been a long six months, but it feels good.”
De Minaur will advance to the fourth round of the tournament to face American star Alex Michelsen and will be hoping to improve on his performance in the first set today, where he made 28 unforced errors. . For context, he scored 15 points in the second round against Tristan Boyer earlier this week.
At one point during the set, his frustration boiled over and he appeared to hit a ball well over Cerundro’s baseline. The Argentine returned the ball after De Minaur tried to kick it into the air, but missed the ball.
He was also seen barking into the coach’s box for answers after falling behind in the first set.
The match was a true battle of wills, and one that the Australians expected going into the match.
“It’s going to be a battle,” he said at a press conference earlier in the week.
De Minaur fought back in the second set and won the tiebreak 7-5, 6-7 (7-3), 3-6, 3-6.
Cerundolo hit a nice drop shot over the net, troubling de Minaur and forcing the Australian forward off the baseline.
“I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be really tough.
“You’ve got to prepare for it from the get-go. Bring that intensity, play aggressive tennis and bring out the best in yourself. I think that’s what I do every day.”
But de Minaur took some time to warm up, even though the home fans were shouting his name at every turn.
Cerundro chose his shot very well. While de Minaur is regularly hailed as the “fastest man in tennis”, the Australian struggled to match the speed of Cerundro’s sweeping forehands, moving from tramline to tramline throughout the match. He also troubled de Minaur with a spectacular drop shot over the net and saved two match points in the fourth set by taking the Australian forward off the baseline.
The Australian fought back in the second set, much to the delight of the home fans inside Rod Laver Arena. He flew out of the blocks and got an early break against Cerundro. Despite defending two break points, Cerundolo was engulfed by the Australian star’s speed and power.
However, he did not give up there, and de Minaur conceded several mistakes in the resulting match, giving his opponent his own break point before conceding the match.
A tie-break ensued, with both players battling, but De Minaur turned on the gas and extended his lead to 7-3.
In the third set, de Minaur appeared to have found his mojo. He got an early break in the fourth game and beat Cerundro with his own serve with 15:40 to go, but the Argentine, ranked 31st on the ATP Tour, hit back with a backhand. An air of claiming a break for yourself.
Boulter was eliminated from the tournament by Veronika Kudermetova earlier this week.
De Minaur (pictured) will face Alex Mikkelsen in the next round of the tournament
However, once De Minaur led 3-4, opponents began making rare errors by pushing the ball into the net and over the baseline. De Minaur chose to keep the ball in play instead of hitting drives to all corners of the court, hitting just one winner in the entire exchange.
The tactic paid off when Cerundro conceded his own break point in front of De Minaur, earning a rousing ovation from the fans inside Rod Laver Arena and taking a 2-1 lead.
Cerundolo’s booming forehand wasn’t the only trick in his locker. The Argentine displayed a deft touch, outpacing de Minaur with several beautifully timed drop shots that went over the net.
But the Australians quickly understood. At 3-3 in the fourth set, Cerundro chipped the ball into the net on his own serve, forcing the home favorites out once. He tried again at the next point, but this time De Minaur was able to successfully shoot. De Minaur gave the ball back and Cerundro raced back toward the baseline, but De Minaur was back on his feet again. His efforts were not in vain as Cerundro missed his shot before putting the ball out of play.
It was a key moment in the final set, when de Minaur made the crucial break to take a 3-4 lead.
The Australian team then held serve and Cerundro went short again, but this time de Minuard responded short and found the back of the net, winning the point and winning the match.
Cerundolo was forced to try again for victory in the final minutes, saving three match points before conceding defeat with a double fault.
