Alex de Minaur has been under increasing pressure at the Australian Open, with the weight of the country’s 49-year men’s singles drought hanging over him. As the No. 8 seed, he has felt the intense expectations of the home crowd, especially after every other Australian player was eliminated. Despite these mounting pressures, De Minaur managed to secure a four-set victory over 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. He admitted that it was one of the most uncomfortable matches he’s played in Australia, stating that he didn’t feel at ease and had to remind himself to simply compete.
This victory marked the first real test for De Minaur in the tournament, but as he heads into the second week, the stakes are only getting higher. He acknowledged that the nerves and pressure would inevitably come, especially as a top-10 player, and that he could no longer afford to be passive. His previous game style relied heavily on his court coverage and return game, forcing his opponents to make the moves. However, now that he is ranked among the elite, he must also become more aggressive.
Notably, De Minaur’s game has evolved in recent years. While he is still known for his exceptional defensive skills, he has added a more potent serve and an increasing willingness to approach the net. Even Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has praised De Minaur’s improved offensive game, recognizing the growth in his overall play. De Minaur himself feels that his development is being noticed, particularly in how he has handled tough matches. In the past, when not feeling his best, he might have found a way to lose. But now, he builds on those moments and moves forward with renewed confidence.
Looking ahead, De Minaur faces a tough challenge in the fourth round, where he will meet the 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen. Michelsen, who has already defeated two seeded players and Australian wildcard James McCabe, is coming off a stunning win over De Minaur less than a year ago in Mexico. In that match, De Minaur was in good form but was defeated in straight sets by the rising American. Michelsen, who was ranked lower at the time, recalled how he played at an exceptionally high level during that match, making very few mistakes. It was a breakthrough moment for him, as it marked his first win over a top-10 player.
Since then, De Minaur has avenged that loss with a straight-set victory at Roland Garros. However, Michelsen’s strong performance in the past week has made him a dangerous opponent. De Minaur has acknowledged his improvement and is prepared for a tough battle, emphasizing that Michelsen will play with no fear, while he will do his best to make things difficult for the young American.
De Minaur’s past Australian Open campaigns have ended at the fourth round for the last three years, but this year, he enters the match as the favorite. In 2023, he was defeated by Djokovic in a lopsided match, and in 2024, Andrey Rublev dispatched him with a dominant performance. The previous year, Jannik Sinner, now the world No. 1, eliminated him in straight sets. Reflecting on those losses, De Minaur noted that he was a different player back then, still maturing both mentally and in terms of his game. Now, he believes he is ready to take on the top players and continue his journey toward his first Grand Slam title.
