Alex de Minaur has continued his arduous courtroom heroics, exhibiting his trademark tenacity to motor his option to the Canadian Open quarterfinals.
In a battle between two of the most effective movers on the boys’s circuit, ninth-seeded de Minaur fought off seventh-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 of their round-of-16 conflict in Toronto on Sunday (native time).
The Australian received off to a scorching begin, racing via the primary set 6-2 earlier than Tiafoe regrouped within the second to pressure the match right into a decider.
De Minaur’s famend return recreation held him in good stead as he transformed 5 of the ten break factors he generated in the course of the match, in contrast with the American’s three of seven possibilities.
Nonetheless, the Australian might be in search of an enchancment on his service recreation for his quarterfinal, after touchdown simply 42 per cent of his first deliveries.
Tiafoe hit extra aces than de Minaur (10 to 6) and extra winners (29 to 23), however the American additionally gave up extra free factors with 49 unforced errors, in contrast with 35 from his opponent.
“It was by no means going to be simple, and Frances has the flexibility to show the swap on every time he needs, so it’s at all times very tough to place him away,” de Minaur mentioned after the match.
Frances Tiafoe reduce a irritating determine throughout his loss to de Minaur. (Getty Photographs: Mert Alper Dervis)
“I feel I battled him, myself and the situations, and I’m joyful to sneak away with the win as we speak.”
De Minaur has discovered a wealthy vein of type within the countdown to the yr’s closing main, the US Open on the arduous courts at Flushing Meadows in New York, which begins on August 24.
The Australian is already a two-time US Open quarterfinalist (2020 and 2024) and has his sights set on making his first grand slam semifinal, having reached the quarters of all 4 majors.
His timing couldn’t be higher, coming to Toronto after clinching the Washington Open singles championship final week, his tenth ATP Tour title.
The Washington occasion was additionally performed on arduous courts, making the Aussie probably the most in-form gamers on the floor.
His win over Tiafoe stretched de Minaur’s successful streak to eight matches.
He has beforehand reached the Canadian Open closing, shedding the 2023 decider towards Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who has since risen to the highest of the world rankings.
De Minaur will not be the one Australian left within the males’s singles in Toronto, with 18th seed and defending champion Alexei Popyrin to tackle top-seeded German Alexander Zverev.
Each of the quarterfinals might be performed on Tuesday (AEST).
AAP
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