Alex de Minaur steps onto Rod Laver Arena with the hopes of a nation behind him for his fourth clash with the dangerous Alexander Bublik.
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Australia’s great hope Alex de Minaur is one win away from matching his career best run at Melbourne Park, but it will not come easy.
The sixth seed takes on Alexander Bublik in a fourth round clash on Rod Laver Arena – a man who has had the wood over de Minaur in their recent meetings.
The Sydneysider boasts a 3-2 lead in their career head-to-head, but the world No.10 has taken their last two outings, leaving scars behind for the Australian.
Bublik, who has been dubbed ‘the Kazakh Kyrgios’ for his undeniable talent but unpredictable temperament, came from two sets to love down to slay the Demon at Roland Garros last year.
He also completed a comeback against de Minaur in the French capital at the Paris Masters in November, but that was a three set affair.
Their recent history is why many Australians groaned when de Minaur’s draw was released.
The fact world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz awaits in the next round did not help either.
But the 26-year-old is galvanised by a career-high ranking and an impressive straight sets victory against another dangerous opponent in Frances Tiafoe on Friday night.
Off the back of that result, de Minaur’s comments before a ball was struck in the main draw rang true.
“Some very tough opponents in front of me…I’m up for the challenge,” said De Minaur. “Hopefully I can step up to the occasion.”
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He certainly was against Tiafoe.
Combining an increased attacking arsenal with his trademark defensive fortitude to topple the American.
De Minaur hit more aces, eight to six, and more winners, 31 to 25, than his powerful opponent.
While the Australian also won the unforced error count, 28 to 40.
It is a recipe that would likely hold him in good stead against Bublik, and it has been formulated with the motivation of proving his doubters wrong.
“I know that there [are] a lot of people that don’t think I can do it — that’s completely fine, but I’m going to keep on pushing myself with my team and trying to prove those people wrong,” de Minaur said pre-tournament.
“That’s just going to add some more fire to the belly, and I have not yet achieved what I want to achieve in this sport.
“It gets stressful at times, but that’s only because I want it so bad.”
De Minaur also has the backing of Australian tennis royalty.
Tony Roche, a French Open champion who coached the likes of Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, said in a recent interview with the ATP and AO Originals that de Minaur can become one of the nation’s greats.
“Always believed that he was destined for big, big things,” Roche said.
“We have a rich history in tennis and it’s about time that we get another winner…I think Alex is the person to do that.”
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 8 ORDER OF PLAY
Men’s and Women’s Singles fourth round
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Night session from 7pm
[10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs [6] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
[12] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs [8] Mirra Andreeva (RUS)
Margaret Court Arena
Not before 4pm
[11] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs [25] Learner Tien (USA)
John Cain Arena
Not before 5pm
[3] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs [18] Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
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