'Aplomb': Alex de Minaur reaches milestone in Aus Open quest
Alex de Minaur has reached the Australian Open round of 16 for the first time in his career after a sensational performance against Spanish veteran and regular hitting partner Andujar.
De Minaur produced some fantastic tennis on the backfoot, while converting his chances, to defeat Andujar 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in another commanding display.
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De Minaur scurried around the court and showed his steely determination as Australian tennis great Rod Laver watched on in the stadium named in his honour on Saturday.
De Minaur will face Italian 20-year-old world No.10 Jannik Sinner, who has beaten the Australian in both previous encounters, for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 22-year-old, ranked World No.42, lost the first set in his first round clash but has won his past nine to build his best home campaign.
Andujar, who will turn 36 on Sunday, joined the tour in 2003 and has returned from three separate surgeries on his right elbow to hit a ranking high of 32 in the world seven years ago.
He made the Australian earn it, but de Minaur obliged in trademark fashion to run down the Spaniard's best and counter with some scintillating shot-making of his own.
De Minaur rifled a forehand down the line to secure the decisive break in the first set, while a pinpoint lob earned applause from his opponent in the second set after the Australian had somehow scrambled to stay in the point.
The cracks opened, a double fault handed de Minaur a break in the third set and he rammed home his advantage with another monster forehand in the next game.
Alex De Minaur impresses in Aus Open charge
De Minaur's relentless defence and grit continues to stun opponents and win him even more fans as he advanced to the round of 16.
Alex de Minaur has pounced on his open draw at #AusOpen with aplomb, reaching the second week with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win over Pablo Andujar.
Faces #11 Jannik Sinner next.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2022
So good to see this talented Aussie player Alex de Minaur win this game @AustralianOpen in front of @rodlaver in @RodLaverArena 😊...simply amazing! pic.twitter.com/vqBCStF0L2
— Dr Aovana Timmerman (@Dr_A_Timmerman) January 22, 2022
High intensity match the Scoreline doesn't tells the true story it was a fantastic match and de Minaur prevails ❤️💪 pic.twitter.com/dslpRVSHv0
— Saqlainthiem (@saqlainthiem5) January 22, 2022
#DeMinaur and tonight’s crowd bringing the good vibes back to the #AusOpen 🎾
— El Rocko (@lisa_rockman) January 22, 2022
De Minaur paid tribute to Australian legend Laver following the match.
"Pretty exciting to play here at Rod Laver Arena at 7pm in front of Rod Laver himself ... it's a pretty amazing feeling and I got the win so what more can I ask for," de Minaur said on court.
"(I'm expecting) a lot of firepower from Jannik, he's a hell of a player so I'm just looking forward to it."
De Minaur is set to rise at least nine spots to World No.33 in the world thanks to his career-best performance at Melbourne Park.
with AAP
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