US Open 2023: Results and latest news from Flushing Meadows as Alex de Minaur into fourth round

For the first time since 2020, Alex de Minaur is through to the fourth round of the US Open – and the Aussie says he’s ready for the battle that awaits with Russian Daniil Medvedev.

Alex de Minaur is ready for a “chess battle” in his fourth-round showdown with Russian Daniil Medvedev at the US Open, so it’s just as well the Australian feels he is as sharp mentally as he has ever been stepping onto the tennis court.

De Minaur continued his hot run at Flushing Meadows to surge into the fourth round of the US Open for the first time since 2020 on Sunday.

The top-seeded Australian crushed Chilean 23rd seed Nicolas Jarry in straight sets to reach the last 16, setting up a showdown with former champion Daniil Medvedev.

De Minaur, one of two Australians left in the men’s draw along with wildcard Rinky Hijikata, powered past Jarry in less than two hours, winning 6-1 6-3 6-2.

The 13th seed made just 10 unforced errors on his way to a dominant victory.

De Minaur is now within reach of matching his best grand slam result, which also came at Flushing Meadows when he reached the 2020 US Open quarter-finals.

Alex de Minaur celebrates during his straight sets win over Nicolas Jarry. Picture: Getty

But de Minaur will have to get past 2021 US Open winner Medvedev if he is to do it after the Russian dispatched Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 6-2 6-2 7-6 (8-6) to advance to the fourth round.

De Minaur has won his past two meetings against Medvedev, but is yet to face him in a major tournament and expected a “chess battle” against the tennis tactician.

“We all know Daniil. Daniil he’s an extreme kind of counter-puncher, defence specialist, finds ways to bait opponents into playing the game style he wants, so he’s an extremely good tactician,” de Minaur said.

“Whenever you play him, you have got to be ready for an absolute chess battle from start to finish.

“I haven’t played him in a major yet. This is going to be a new experience for both of us and if anything it’s just going to show that it’s going to be a long match.

“I’m sure there’s going to be chances both ways so it’s about who hangs around and sticks around and fights till the end and finds a way.

“I’m expecting an absolute battle.”

De Minaur, who reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and the second round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, has dropped just 10 games in his past two matches.

The 24-year-old felt he was as sharp mentally as he had ever been entering matches at a major tournament.

“Over the last four or five years I have been extremely solid and always been tough to beat and it has shown year-end ranking wise, I have been around that 20-mark year in and year out,” de Minaur said.

“Probably the biggest difference is I have stepped it up a notch, especially recently, and at the same time I have not let it be just one week, just the odd week where I closed my eyes and played unbelievable tennis.

“I just showed it week after week and I’m happy with that, so it’s a good spot to be in.

“Every time I step out on court I’ve got a purpose, I think I’m being a bit more aggressive as well, I’m going after my shots, I’m not letting people dictate me too much.

“Obviously, there is that sense of belief as well that maybe in the past – as good as I am mentally – there were times when I would maybe lose confidence because I lost one match or a couple of tough matches here or there, but at the moment I am backing myself at every stage of the match.”

Alex de Minaur is bringing “energy and intensity” to his US Open charge. Picture: Mike Stobe/GETTY

De Minaur said he accomplished his mission on court against Jarry and his game was prospering from the “energy and intensity” he was able to maintain throughout the match.

“I’m extremely happy again. I had a mission to accomplish, I stuck to my game plan and I executed and I did everything I wanted to so it was a great day at the office and lots to be proud of,” de Minaur said

“I feel like I’m in a good head space, I’ve got very clear thoughts once I’m on the tennis court, I know what I want to accomplish, what I want to do and it’s always great when you can execute as well.

“I think what I’m bringing is the kind of energy and intensity from the first point to the last and it’s been showing because it’s been really helpful to keep my level throughout the whole match.

“I knew obviously the game plan against someone like Jarry – who’s got such big weapons – is to try to neutralise him and try to find a healthy balance between kind of pushing the ball and still being somewhat aggressive without missing.

“I found that line today and it was great to keep applying that pressure. If he wanted to win the point, he was going to have to come up with some amazing winners.

“It didn’t discourage me, I just kept on, played the next point and did it all over again.”