Alex de Minaur achieves 17-year first as hot streak reaches insane heights

Tennis star Alex de Minaur’s hot start to the 2024 season has reached heights not seen from an Aussie male since the mid-2000s.

The Demon is roaring. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Alex de Minaur is a different beast in 2024.

The 24-year-old Aussie was once again at his mercurial best as he took down German star Alexander Zverev during the United Cup semi-finals on Saturday.

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With Australia’s backs against the wall, de Minaur levelled the contest up as he fought back from dropping the first set to storm home against Zverev.

Not only did de Minaur level Australia’s tie against Germany, but he also booked his spot in the ATP Top 10 with the win.

He becomes the first male Australian player to achieve that feat since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

“It’s what I worked so hard for,” de Minaur told Jim Courier after the win.

“It’s another milestone, but it doesn’t finish there. Job’s not done. We keep on improving. We keep on trying to get better, and I’m going to enjoy this Aussie summer, that’s for sure.”

The win was de Minaur’s third consecutive over a top-10 opponent, having previously defeated Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.

“I’ve said it before, but every time I step out on court here, it feels special,” added de Minaur.

“This (Ken Rosewall Arena) is my favourite court in the whole world.”

“Every time I step out here, I get goosebumps. I love being here, and I’m very grateful for all the support.”

WHAT A MOMENT!

24yo Alex De Minaur will become the first Australian player to reach the ATP Top 10 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006.

He beats Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 and Australia stays alive at the United Cup semifinals.

AUS 1-1 GER, mixed doubles to come! pic.twitter.com/Sx9rz7rJiN

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 6, 2024

ALEX DE MINAUR IS IN THE TOP 10!!!

2024 is the year of the Demon I can feel it 😈

Very impressive and composed win over Zverev. Took the break early in the third set and served it out. #UnitedCup

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 6, 2024

Katie Boulter reacts to Alex De Minaur becoming the first Australian player to reach the ATP Top 10 since Lleyton Hewitt in 2006🔝🙌 pic.twitter.com/0OdKHPpNPN

— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 6, 2024

After levelling the contest up at one set apiece, de Minaur took full control of the match after going ahead 4-2 in the third set.

“De Minaur does it for Australia … in true Alex de Minaur fashion,” Todd Woodbridge said in commentary.

“Grit, determination, spirit and a severe will to win. That will be a match and a moment that he will remember for a very long time.”

“Dreams were built here for de Minaur. 12 years of age, he’s been practising on the outside courts, dreaming of winning major tournaments and championships, playing for Australia. It’s all come together with a famous victory here.”

“It’s unbelievable, really,” added Courier.

“Alex, he was getting outplayed … he somehow was able to survive that really big challenge in the fifth game of the second set. He saved three break points.

“It was a 13-minute game, and then from there, he started to find ways to get mistakes out of Sasha Zverev especially on the forehand swing. It was disciplined, it was gritty. I would say it was a classic de Minaur experience.”

The Aussie is into the top 10. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Despite the heroics from de Minaur, it wasn’t enough for the Aussies as Zverev made amends for the loss by securing the overall victory for Germany in the mixed doubles.

Zverev partnered with Laura Siegemund to claw past Storm Hunter and Matt Ebdon 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (2/7), 15-13 in a see-sawing match which finished at 2:18am and saw them save four match points.

Earlier, world number one Iga Swiatek led top seeds Poland to a 3-0 sweep of France to make their first final after crashing in the semis last year to eventual champions the United States.

Hurkacz, at a career-high nine, defeated Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 7-5 before Swiatek toppled Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

“I’m happy that I came back and I didn’t make so many mistakes as in the first set,” Swiatek said.

“Sometimes it’s a bit hard to point (to) one thing that changed (after the first set). I just feel like I needed to calm down a little bit and not rush it,” she added.

The United Cup final between Germany and Poland takes place on Sunday night.