Aussie Tennis Star’s Gritty Survival in Epic Battle: What Happened on the Court?

17

Alex de Minaur secured a hard-fought victory over Francisco Cerúndolo to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open. The Australian eighth seed triumphed in four sets, 5-7, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-3, in a marathon contest lasting almost four hours at Rod Laver Arena.

Despite a challenging performance marred by 62 unforced errors and a first serve percentage of just 49, de Minaur’s resilience and superior fitness ultimately led him to victory. He admitted to feeling the pressure and discomfort on the court, remarking on the unexpected nerves and expectations. However, his determination and commitment to compete until the last point remained unwavering.


The match saw de Minaur lose the first set after a 5-4 lead, handing Cerúndolo the early advantage. The second set was fiercely contested in rising temperatures, culminating in a decisive tiebreaker for de Minaur. His resolve to battle on, regardless of the scoreline, paid off as he leveled the match at one set apiece, averting the more daunting prospect of a two-set deficit.

In the upcoming round, de Minaur faces 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen, who has already claimed victories over 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and 19th seed Karen Khachanov. Acknowledging Michelsen as a “dangerous opponent,” de Minaur emphasized the need to elevate his game to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

De Minaur concluded, “I lived to fight another day. My next match, I’ll make sure I bring a better level.”