Alex de Minaur hits back with late-night tweet after Sinner demolition
Alex de Minaur has responded to a harsh social media post after he was dismantled in his Australian Open quarter-final against Jannik Sinner.
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Alex de Minaur was given a blunt reminder on Wednesday night of the level he needs to reach if he is to ever taste victory in a grand slam tournament.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner might have given De Minaur plenty of praise in his post-match interview, as you can see in the video player above.
But the Italian was playing in a different galaxy en route to his 6-3 6-2 6-1 canter in just one hour, 48 minutes in their highly anticipated Australian Open quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena.
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Sinner broke the 25-year-old’s serve on six occasions and only faced one break on his own, which he repelled, with De Minaur landing just 51 per cent of his first serves and being on the wrong end of a lopsided 27-10 winners count.
Afterwards, the Sydneysider was asked about the positives and negatives as he reached the quarters of his home slam for the first time before a rude awakening against the defending champion.
“I mean, the positives, I think how I handled everything. The fact that I came in this year top 10 and (with) a lot of expectation, a lot of pressure,” a glum Demon replied.
“Obviously the whole country wanted me to do well. I wanted to do well here.
“I thought I handled it really well to put myself in this position. I would have loved to do more today, but this is what happens sometimes in tennis.
“The negatives is after playing some great tennis on home soil and gaining so much, you feel like you just have been slapped across the face, to be honest, to finish off like that.
“I’ll survive. I’ll keep improving. And if anything, I just need to sit with my team and figure out a way to hurt Jannik on the court.”
Sinner has dominated the head-to-head record against De Minaur, winning all 10 times they have faced off, including twice in the Davis Cup Finals, three deciders in ATP tournaments and the 2022 Australian Open in the round of 16.
In all those matches, the Australian has only managed to take a single, solitary set off the red-headed Italian.
In a harsh post on X, tennis blogger Pavvy G wrote: “Alex De Minaur has zero self belief that he can even compete with Sinner let alone beat him. Awful performance from him.”
De Minaur wasn’t going to take that lying down and replied: “Hey mate it’s a shame that you never became a good enough player to experience playing Jannik.
“I’m sure you would’ve put up a better performance and know exactly how to beat him. Wishing you all the best!!!”
De Minaur described facing Sinner as “surreal” and at least know he’s not the only one struggling against the current king of the men’s game.
“Yeah, I mean, he’s built this aura up from beating everyone,” he said.
“Like, that’s the thing about it, right? It’s not like he’s just had a good week here or good week there. He’s just beaten everyone.
“The fact that he’s got this top level that he can do this to players, it’s pretty tough.
“You know it’s going to be a battle, it’s going to be tough, you’re going to try different things.
“But then you’re an hour and 30 in and you’re struggling to win games and you’re trying to find ways to get on the board.
“It’s pretty surreal.”
De Minaur added he doesn’t believe the quarter-final of a grand slam, which he has now achieved at all four majors, will be his “peak”.
But there is a clear gulf in class between the top 10 and the absolute best in the sport.
When the Aussie was battling to stay in the match in his final service game, Sinner effortlessly swatted a second serve down the line for a clean backhand winner.
“Oh my goodness me. That is stone cold,” screamed the Stan Sport commentator.
Australian great John Fitzgerald added: “For those at home watching this, I hope that you can appreciate it like we have and I know you have.
“This is an extraordinary performance.”
Two points later, Sinner took the pace off another backhand winner down the line that again had the commentators searching for superlatives as De Minaur could only clap his hand to his racquet and manage a smile that showed he knew this was a one-sided fight.
“Oh come on. Maybe the best shot of the night,” Fitzgerald said.
“Look at the wry smile there. Off balance, moving backwards, hits the toughest shot in the book.”
The end was nigh and commentator Robbie Koenig could only gush after Sinner wrapped the match up.
“Sinner didn’t invent tennis, but he’s certainly perfecting it,” Koenig said. “A second semi-final here for the defending champion.
“Nineteen consecutive wins, nine consecutive wins against top 10-ers. He is simply the best.”
Fitzgerald was left trying to find ways to lift his compatriot as he departed the court.
“He completed the cornerstone of quarter-finals at major championships this week, but that one will sting,” he said.
“It’s a moment I think when you realise how good you have to be to win one of these grand slam singles events
“He’s trying to improve. He’s trying to tweak his serve, hit it harder, he’s trying to hit that forehand harder and of course he’s one of the great movers Alex de Minaur.
“But he was overpowered tonight and that’s been the common thread against this man (Sinner).
“That match up for Alex is not a good one.
“It’s tough for us to break down how he can eventually beat this guy. He’s not winning sets off him.
“So as good as Alex is, this guy has been better and tonight he certainly was.”
American coach Brad Stine, whose charge Tommy Paul lost to Alexander Zverev in the quarters, said of Sinner: “It’s so hard to figure out a way to break him down.
“I don’t care who you are. Alex de Minaur is eight in the world and one of the best competitors out here on the tour and Jannik Sinner made him look pretty average tonight.”
Tennis fans on X were all saying the same thing after the match.
One tweeted: “It’s too easy for Jannik Sinner. He is on cruise control.”
Another stated: “Alex de Minaur is suffering! He just can’t figure Jannik Sinner out.”
A third wrote: “Sinner has far too much power that doesn’t even allow De Minaur to show his defensive tennis qualities.”
A fourth declared: “Jannik Sinner is ruthless. He doesn’t mess around.”
At this rate, the remaining players in the draw are going to find out just what it means to face the Italian at Melbourne Park.
Originally published as Alex de Minaur hits back with late-night tweet after Sinner demolition
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