Alex de Minaur joins Jordan Thompson in Aussie US Open breakthrough in NY
Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson are the first Australian duo since Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in 2001 to make the last 16 at the US Open.
Alex de Minaur is delighted at the success of Jordan Thompson, who he considers a big brother, as both players bid to make their first grand slam quarterfinal in New York.
De Minaur, 21, showed impressive fortitude to regain his concentration after an uncharacteristic display of anger to overcome Russian Karen Khachanov 6-4 0-6 4-6 6-3 6-1 at the US Open on Sunday.
The 21st seed joined fellow Sydneysider Thompson, who is through to the second week of a major for the first time, in the fourth round after a match lasting 3hr 02m.
It is the first time two Australians have reached this stage in Flushing Meadows since former champions Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in 2001, with the latter going on to win the title.
De Minaur, who will play Canadian Vasek Pospisil on Tuesday, first met Thompson on returning to Australia from Spain as an 11-year-old and has looked up to him ever since.
“It’s amazing, those stats. I’m so happy I’m able to do it with a fellow Sydneysider (like) Thommo,” he said.
“It’s amazing. I’ve known him for a very long time. We have hit together. He’s like a big brother to me.
“It’s amazing to see us both – and him kind of leading the way – both of us in the fourth round and hopefully we can keep it going.
“He’s playing some great tennis and I’m really happy for him, that’s for sure.”
A terrific win by â¦@alexdeminaurâ© over #Khachanov sees him into the last 16 for the second year in succession â¦@usopenâ© He faces Canadian Vasek Pospisil for a maiden grand slam quarter-final spot. â¦@jordanthommmo2â© to play Borna #Coric for a last eight spot. pic.twitter.com/IRfXZucanb
— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) September 5, 2020
De Minaur’s ability to overcome a stronger and taller rival – renowned for powerful and precise groundstrokes – points to his maturing as a player, though the fight he showed has long been a feature.
At the US Open two years ago, he wowed the notoriously fickle New York crowd with the resistance he showed against former champion Marin Cilic, a man of similar height and strength to the Russian.
On that occasion, the “Demon” fell just shy of a stunning comeback in the second-latest finish to a match played in New York.
Driving back to Manhattan near 4am, he vowed to work harder than ever to succeed.
There are no fans in attendance to bellow “Dee Mon. Deeeee Mon,” this year. And for a period, he lost his way as Khachanov seized control of their third round clash.
The Australian later lamented losing his temper and declared that it would not happen again.
“First of all, I’d like to say, you know, (I’m) sorry to everyone out there watching,” he said unprompted.
“It’s not the way I want to conduct myself on the tennis court and it’s not something that is normal for me, so I’m very disappointed in myself with the attitude I had.
“I’m happy that I got through it and managed to kind of turn things around, but it is something that just can happen and won’t happen again.”
Pospisil, who followed a five-set win over compatriot Milos Raonic with a victory over Roberto Bautista-Agut that also required a deciding set, is a similar build to Cilic and Khachanov.
The Canadian right-hander has regained his best form after a prolonged struggle with injury and possesses a powerful serve and groundstrokes and is adept at the net.
De Minaur, whose stamina was evident in the latter stages against Khachanov, has won his only two outings to date against Pospisil in Washington and Shanghai.
Both of those matches were in 2018 when the Canadian, who is the architect of a breakaway tennis union with Novak Djokovic, was battling through a slump caused by his fitness battle.
The Australian Davis Cup spearhead is mindful of the challenge ahead as he pursues a golden opportunity in New York.
“Even though Vasek isn’t a seed, he is definitely playing like a top seed. He is a very, very dangerous player,” he said.
“He is going to look to dictate a lot and try to take the net. I’ve just got to make sure I try to keep my depth, try not to get pushed around and, a little bit like today, try to stand my ground and hopefully dictate myself.”
Thompson will play Croatian Borna Coric in a match scheduled to start at 7am Monday (AEST).
Their only other clash occurred in a low-tier event in Thailand in 2013 for a fistful of dollars when both men were teenagers.
The winner of this clash will guarantee a cheque of nearly $600,000. It is the biggest moment of Thompson’s career but the right-hander is in fine form.
Coric has been touted as a potential slam winner from when he exited junior ranks and showed tremendous resolve to overcome perilous positions to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas.
But the Australian would have been delighted to see Coric’s clash with the Greek star go the distance in what proved a gruelling encounter.
More Coverage
16-year old Emerson Jones triumphs as Family Connection Takes Center Stage
World number one junior Emerson Jones made her Far North debut on Wednesday, but for the 16-year old with a bright future, it was an acknowledgment of the past shared with her older brother that was at the forefront of her performance.
WADA appeals World No.1’s doping decision, pursues ban
Jannik Sinner is “very disappointed” but confident after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision to clear him in his steroid case, seeking a ban of up to two years.