From cooked to cooking: How Demon found dream solution to US nightmare — AO Talking Pts

Four months after hitting the wall against Daniil Medvedev at the US Open, Alex de Minaur is feeling fresher than ever as he bids to break through a big barrier at Melbourne Park.

The Sydneysider star will seek to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open for the first time when he tackles Medvedev’s great mate Andrey Rublev on Rod Laver Arena tonight.

Grand slam titles cannot be won in the first week but contenders can certainly diminish their chances if they exhaust their physical and emotional reserves too early.

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De Minaur copped the harshest of lessons in New York last September when he effectively broke down midway through what was developing into a classic against Medvedev.

A US Open quarterfinalist in 2020, he played brilliantly for almost two sets, but then snapped physically as the humidity and toll of taking on the tough Russian got the better of him.

It was a near run thing for even the marathon man Medvedev, who showed his stamina when outlasting Emil Ruusuvuori in a match that finished near 4am on Thursday.

The 2021 US Open champion conceded afterwards he was close to shutting down when he noticed de Minaur looked cooked.

But that is not the case for de Minaur in this campaign as he seeks to become the first Australian man since Nick Kyrgios in 2015 to reach the last eight in Melbourne.

“I probably must be feeling the freshest I’ve been getting at this stage of the tournament,” de Minaur said.

“Obviously I got a little bit lucky with Milos (Raonic) pulling out. Therefore, the match wasn’t too long. Then I played two straight-sets wins that weren’t too long.

“Physically I’m feeling great. Now it’s just about giving all my energy for what’s to come.”

In the two most recent editions of the Australian Open, the seven-time ATP Tour titleist has reached the last 16, only to fall in convincing fashion to Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.

This campaign, de Minaur said, feels different. And it is not just because he entered the AO fresh from wins over fellow Top 10 stars Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.

The Australian No.1 should have more pop left in his legs as well after spending less time on the court to reach this stage than in the 2022 and 2023 tournaments.

The Davis Cup star has spent 95 minutes less time on court this year compared to his 2022 run when he fell to Sinner in straight sets, and also reduced match time to last year.

In his three wins to date this year over Raonic, Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli, de Minaur has played for just over six hours.

Australian legend Rod Laver believes the time is overdue for de Minaur to strike, stating he should have had more success at grand slam level given the quality of his game.

“Alex de Minaur is a great player. He should be doing more than he is doing because he has got a great game,” Laver said.

“But there are ten or 15 players who are so talented now, so there are no easy matches. Alex is tough. Also all the other players have improved and the competition is getting so much bigger now.”

De Minaur has won three of his five matches against Rublev, a nine-time grand slam quarterfinalist who is seeking to make the final eight for the third major in a row.

But the world No.5 has won two of his past three matches against the Australian, most recently in a quarterfinal of the Paris Masters last October.

SPEAKING OF LEGENDS…

‘Rocket’ Rod Laver has arrived. Margaret Court is on her way.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty starred as a tandem act early in the tournament both at Melbourne Park and also at Kooyong for the launch of the latter’s foundation.

And Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt have been regular presences on site at Melbourne Park.

Take a walk along the internal corridors at Melbourne Park and there are legends to be spotted at every turn, such are the work opportunities for former champions at grand slams.

An all-time legend in Novak Djokovic remains a current player and will continue his bid for an 11th grand slam title when he plays Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, Chinese champion Li Na was feted on Rod Laver Arena ten years after becoming the first player from her nation to win the Australian Open.

Her legacy was evidenced in the presence of three Chinese players featuring on the main stadium court, with Qinwen Zheng defeating Wang Yafan in a thriller before Juncheng ‘Jerry’ Shang stepped out against Carlos Alcaraz.

Zheng, the No.12 seed, revealed after her 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) success that she had watched a recording of Li Na’s triumph over Dominika Cibulkova at least 10 times during her childhood.

The impressive 21-year-old, who claimed the WTA Tour Elite Trophy last October, will have the opportunity to watch her idol live next week at Melbourne Park in the legends’ event.

Li Na, who became the first Asian player to win a grand slam at Roland Garros in 2011, will compete alongside stars including 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johannson, Mark Philippoussis, Iva Majoli, Tommy Haas and Marcos Baghdatis.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the impact that Li Na had on the sport as a breakthrough champion from China was immense.

“Li Na is a hugely popular Australian Open champion and her historic win in 2014 will always have a very special place in the history of our sport,” he said.

“We are delighted to welcome Li Na back to Melbourne and I have no doubt fans will flock to see her, and all our legends, in action on the outside courts from Sunday.”

An offspring of a legend was also on display on the outside courts as Jagger Leach, the son of former world No.1 Lindsay Davenport, stepped out in the boys singles on Crt 15.

Wearing his cap backwards and boasting a backhand with good power and variety, the 16-year-old demonstrated he is a player to watch after a first round win.

While Alex de Minaur carries the Australian hopes on Sunday night, plenty of eyes will be watching the junior debut of Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz in the boys singles.

The 15-year-old, who practised with de Minaur during the United Cup in the infancy of the summer of tennis, plays American Alexander Razeghi, who is ranked 1237 in senior ranks from around 12:30pm on Court 3.

WOMEN’S CHAOS AS SHOCK FINALIST LOOMS

Linda Noskova’s stunning upset of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek has blown another massive hole in a draw that was already riddled with beaten seeds.

Swiatek’s struggles in Australia continued when she was upset in 3-6 6-3 6-4 by the impressive Czech Republic teenager Linda Noskova.

The exit of the four-time major champion follows earlier losses by world No.3 Elena Rybakina, American hope Jessica Pegula and reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

In all, only four of the top 17 seeds in the women’s draw are left in the tournament as the Australian Open reaches hump day.

There is only one remaining Australian Open finalist left in the top half of the draw, the dual-champion Victoria Azarenka.

At 34, she is the oldest woman left in the tournament.

The No.12 seed Qinwen Zheng is the highest-ranked woman remaining in the top half of the draw. And her survival was a near run thing after she edged compatriot Wang Yafan in deciding super tiebreaker on Saturday.

Aside from Azarenka, Elina Svitolina is the best-credentialed woman left on that side of the draw.

Dayana Yastremska, Jasmine Paolini, Anna Kalinskaya and Oceane Dodin are all within range of enjoying a milestone moment in their careers given the wide open draw.

THE CERTAINTY OF SINNER

While Jannik Sinner’s key rivals for the Australian Open have dealt with mega-late finishes, tricky opponents and testing match situations, the Italian has enjoyed the smoothest of rides.

The world No.4, who faces Karen Khachanov on Sunday for the chance to play either de Minaur or Rublev in the quarterfinals, has been able to plan for his outings with certainty.

Sinner, who led Italy to a Davis Cup success last November, was scheduled for midday matches in his first three rounds and progressed without the loss of a set.

He does have to deal with a slight change on Sunday, with his match listed as ‘not before 4pm’ on court on Margaret Court Arena.

But barring an unlikely marathon between Amanda Anisimova and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who start at 1pm, Sinner will again be able to time his run to the start with precision. And he is reaping rich rewards as a result.

“I like to play the first match. You know the time when you enter,” he said.

“You know that you most likely are going to finish a little bit earlier than other players. Obviously you have more time to recover, also.”

CLASSY GESTURES

Plenty of bricks have been thrown at AO organisers in recent years but credit must be paid where it is due, with a couple of gestures in the opening week well worth acknowledging.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley sent popular veteran John Millman into retirement in style when presenting him with gifts after his doubles loss late in the week.

“Johnny, you are the ultimate team player. On behalf of the entire tennis family, everyone who plays the game, loves the game, works in the game, to thank you for your commitment to the game and your commitment to them,” Tiley told Millman during an on-court presentation.

“You have been an example to young kids. You are a true gentleman and a true champion of the game. We have loved watching every fight you have done. You have taught us how to do it and we wanted to … thank you for being the champion you are.”

Millman, who defeated Roger Federer on the way to reaching the US Open quarterfinals in 2018, contested 30 majors during his career despite suffering several injury setbacks.

He was fiercely competitive on the court, never afraid to speak his mind of it and always mindful of the importance of trying to be a positive influence on both the sport and on others.

The 34-year-old, who has been commentating at Melbourne Park, was always accessible and prepared to share his insights and expertise while helping spread his love of the game.

Kudos, also, to Tiley’s staff for the assistance they have offered colleagues of English journalist Mike Dickson, who died this week in Melbourne while reporting on his 24th Open.

Several have gone over and above to ensure his colleagues from abroad have received appropriate support while also commemorating the esteemed scribe’s memory.

It has not gone unnoticed. Nor has the superb variety of activities available for fans as soon as they enter the grounds from near the city all the way down towards Punt Rd.

Record crowds have been announced daily. The tournament may not reach the one million fan milestone during the 2024 Australian Open, but organisers are giving it a decent crack.