Alex de Minaur is predicting an “absolute battle” with former champion Daniil Medvedev in his quest for a US Open quarter-final berth as he revealed the key mindset change that has helped him push through to the final 16 in New York.
The clash comes just three weeks after the top-ranked Australian took down Medvedev at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Toronto, having also beaten the Russian in Paris to claim their most recent encounters.
But de Minaur wasn’t sure whether that counts for much at a grand slam, and the US Open that Medvedev won in 2021, and he was preparing for a tactical brawl of a match.
“I haven’t played him in a major yet,” the Australian said.
“So this is going to be a new experience for both of us. If anything, it’s just going to be a long match.
“I’m sure there’s going to be chances both ways. It’s about who just sticks around and fights to the end and finds a way.
“I am expecting an absolute battle.
“He’s an extremely good tactician and you know whenever you play him you have got to be ready for an absolute chess battle.”
Having made his way to the second week in New York, de Minaur credited his off-court relationship with girlfriend and fellow pro Katie Boulter for helping him deal with losses that he used to dwell on for too long.
Boulter lost in the third round but remains a key part of de Minaur’s rise to world No.13 on his way to the US Open.
“A big thing that I admire a lot about Katie is how she acts and how she gets herself up during matches,” he said after Boulter bowed out in the third round at Flushing Meadows.
“Her philosophy is something that I envy in a way. She is very positive. She doesn’t take tennis matches for granted.
“She doesn’t mind the results. She goes out there competing and enjoys herself. I’ve learned a lot from that.
“To be honest, I’m probably on the other spectrum. I live and die by the sword and matches do hurt me in ways.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that as much as it hurts in the moment, I can get off the court and the more I spend some time with Katie, we’re both able to kind of forget about it and move on.
“And it’s helped me a lot to not have to linger with some of these matches. I’ve been able to turn the page and move on and look forward to the next challenge.”
The winner of the clash between de Minaur and Medvedev will face either unseeded Brit Jack Draper or Russian world No.8 Andrey Rublev for a semi-final spot.
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