De Minaur thrives on US hard courts
Alex de Minaur showed his comeback is in full swing on the hard courts of New York City.
When Alex de Minaur arrived in the United States late last month, his determination was clear.
As promising as the 20-year-old’s career has been to date, the months after a bright Australian summer had been testing.
The speedy right-hander, who was a 6-4 6-2 6-7 (6) 7-5 victor over Pierre-Hugues Herbert in New York yesterday, battled a serious groin injury amid some changes to his support staff.
This led to an early exit at the French Open against Spaniard Pablo Carreno-Busta and at Wimbledon, where he fell in a five-set encounter to American Steve Johnson, who was due to play Nick Kyrgios early this morning.
Neither loss was particularly disappointing. In Paris, he was still in the infancy of a comeback on his least-preferred surface. And he was only really a point away from toppling Johnson. But a return to the hard courts of North America could not come quickly enough. And it showed in his form.
The Australian started the swing superbly with a stunning triumph in Atlanta, managing to win the title without dropping serve.
Against Herbert, who won their only prior encounter in China last September, it was his return that came to the fore.
The world No 38 broke the Frenchman seven times, including two critical breaks in the fourth set when under pressure.
“It’s never an easy match-up against Pierre, so (I’m) very happy with how things went,” he said.
“Obviously the third set slipped a bit. (There was) a bit of a lapse in concentration, but it’s what happens in five-set matches. You’ve got to expect these things. So I’m happy I was able to bounce back and not let it affect me too much.”
De Minaur, who also won the Sydney International earlier this year, made a swift transition from junior ranks but that is not always the case for prodigious talents.
His second-round opponent Cristian Garin shaped as a star of the future when he defeated German star Alexander Zverev to claim the Roland Garros boys championship in 2013. But it took him until last year to break into the top 100, though the Chilean has continued to move in the right direction and is the 31st seed here.
De Minaur, who is seeking to reach the third round of the US Open for the second year in succession, is well aware the 23-year-old is a dangerous opponent. But in his favour is his better form on hard courts and his desire to play on the biggest stages in tennis.
“He’s another quality opponent (who is) very tough, very solid,” he said. “I’m happy to get through my first round and it’s going to be another incredibly tough match but the body’s feeling good and I’m pumped to be here.”
Men of honour – Sinner and Cahill face an uncertain future, no?
Jannik Sinner and his Australian supercoach Darren Cahill, revered globally but under-appreciated locally, were the epitome of gracious victors. But a CAS hearing in April looms.
‘Among most educated’: Tiley rejects Bogan Slam tag
There was no shortage of drama at the AO. TA boss Craig Tiley addresses Alexander Zverev’s heckler, overloaded, raucous crowds and will we see the GOAT of Melbourne Park return?