Alex de Minaur showcased an impressive start to his Australian Open campaign, sweeping past Botic van de Zandschulp with a decisive 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory at Melbourne Park. A year after his disappointing exit in the previous tournament, de Minaur appeared confident and ready to make significant strides. Faced with van de Zandschulp, known for ousting top players like Carlos Alcaraz at last year’s US Open, de Minaur demonstrated strong resolve, returning every shot and capitalizing on his opponent’s errors.
The Australian, who missed the Olympics last year due to a hip injury, looked in excellent shape, attributing his performance to an intensive off-season training program. Unlike many players who rested post-season, de Minaur worked tirelessly with his team on improving both on and off the court, a commitment that seems to be paying off early in the season.
Despite the occasional flashy play from van de Zandschulp, including a ‘tweener winner, de Minaur maintained control throughout the match, ultimately proving too formidable for the Dutch player. This victory may mark a turning point for de Minaur, who has historically struggled to advance beyond the quarterfinals in grand slam tournaments.
With the early exit of Stefanos Tsitsipas, de Minaur, Australia’s top men’s seed, now has a promising path ahead of him to potentially surpass his previous record performances. Despite the inherent pressure of being a leading home contender, de Minaur remains focused on his game, determined to bring out his best performance on home soil.
“My body feels exactly how I wanted it to,” he stated post-match, expressing satisfaction with his physical readiness. De Minaur underscored his commitment to self-improvement and noted that his motivation remains at an all-time high. If he continues to exhibit this level of play, he’s poised for a potentially career-defining run at this year’s tournament.