In front of an electrified crowd at Rod Laver Arena, Alex De Minaur delivered a stellar performance to advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The hometown hero triumphed over the talented American Alex Michelsen, winning 6-0, 7-6(7), 6-3 in a match that showcased his physical prowess and tactical intelligence.
De Minaur’s journey through the tournament now sets up a tantalizing quarterfinal clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, a challenge that promises high stakes and explosive tennis.
De Minaur dominates the opening set
De Minaur, ranked No. 8 in the world, wasted no time asserting his dominance in the match. With his trademark agility and impeccable court coverage, the Australian neutralized Michelsen’s attacks, forcing the young American into a series of unforced errors.
The local favorite broke Michelsen’s serve three times in the opening set, unleashing precise returns and capitalizing on the American’s inconsistency. De Minaur’s relentless pace and sharp shot selection left Michelsen scrambling, and the set ended with a commanding 6-0 scoreline.
Michelsen fights back in a gripping second set
The second set saw a revitalized Michelsen, who began to find his rhythm and challenge De Minaur in extended rallies. The American, ranked No. 42, showed flashes of the form that helped him upset Karen Khachanov in the previous round. With more aggressive groundstrokes and improved service games, Michelsen forced De Minaur into tighter exchanges.
De Minaur secured an early break, but Michelsen clawed his way back, leveling the set and pushing the match into a tiebreak. The tiebreak was a thrilling battle of precision and endurance, with both players exchanging blistering shots and fighting for every point.
De Minaur’s superior fitness and mental resilience ultimately gave him the edge, as he clinched the tiebreak 9-7, silencing Michelsen’s comeback hopes.
De Minaur seals the deal in the third set
The third set was a more balanced affair, with both players holding serve in the early games. Michelsen, growing in confidence, unleashed powerful forehands to keep De Minaur on his toes. However, his lack of consistency in critical moments allowed the Australian to capitalize.
In the sixth game, De Minaur earned a decisive break with a combination of well-angled returns and sharp passing shots. From there, the Australian held his nerve, serving out the match with precision to secure a 6-3 victory.
Looking ahead: A showdown with Jannik Sinner
De Minaur’s triumph marks his second consecutive quarterfinal appearance at his home Slam. However, his next opponent, Jannik Sinner, presents an entirely different challenge. The world No. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion has been in imperious form, making their upcoming clash one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
“Jannik is an incredible player, and I’ll need to bring my best to compete with him,” De Minaur said in his post-match interview. “I’m feeling great and ready to give it everything in front of this amazing crowd.”