Alex de Minaur’s impressive grand slam quarter-final streak has come to a crushing end, losing from two sets up in the second round of the French Open.
The Aussie No.9 seed was cruising against dangerous Kazakh Alexander Bublik before bungling his way to a 2-6 2-6 6-4 6-3 6-2 defeat at Roland Garros.
It ensures de Minaur his worst result at a grand slam since Wimbledon 2023, and follows six straight slams where he had made the fourth round or better, including four quarter-finals.
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
It’s the third time in his career de Minaur has lost from two sets up, along with the third round of the 2018 US Open against Marin Cilic, and the fourth round of Wimbledon 2022 against Cristian Garin.
Only reaching the second round will cost de Minaur a hefty haul of rankings points, meaning he could drop out of the ATP top 10 depending on other results, though that is somewhat unlikely.
The lone remaining Aussie in the third round is No.25 seed Alexei Popyrin, with Adam Walton hoping to join him, while on the women’s side new Aussie Daria Kasatkina is hoping to advance past French wildcard Leolia Jeanjean.
Bublik has now knocked two Aussies out of the tournament following a comprehensive win over James Duckworth in the first round, with Thursday’s comeback particularly odd given clay is his weakest surface.
He will face either exciting Czech Jakub Mensik or Henrik Rocha for a spot in the last 16, with the latter also coming back from two sets down to force a decider.
MORE TO COME
Discussion about this post