Alex de Minaur cruised into the third round of the Australian Open with a dominant 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory over American qualifier Tristan Boyer on Thursday. The match, played under sunny but cool conditions on Rod Laver Arena, lasted just under two hours, with de Minaur showcasing his trademark speed and consistency. The Australian No. 1 seed, currently ranked No. 8, demonstrated his resilience after an early break of serve, quickly regaining control of the match. Despite hitting 23 winners and only committing 15 unforced errors, de Minaur’s first serve percentage could have been higher, as he landed just over half of his first serves. Nevertheless, he was largely untroubled by Boyer, who struggled to find any rhythm against the Australian’s relentless pace.
De Minaur’s performance in the opening two rounds of the tournament has been impressive, as he has yet to drop a set. The 24-year-old has recovered from the hip injury that hampered him last season, and his focus is now squarely on progressing deeper into the tournament. His next challenge comes in the form of 31st seed Francisco Cerundolo, who reached the third round after his opponent, Facundo Diaz Acosta, retired due to injury. Although de Minaur and Cerundolo have never faced each other before, the Australian is well aware of the Argentine’s qualities and has prepared for a tough battle.
Cerundolo is known for his powerful forehand and aggressive style of play, having defeated several top players in the past. De Minaur is fully aware of the threat Cerundolo poses and has expressed his respect for the Argentine’s game. “It’s going to be tough, he’s a quality opponent, lots of firepower, and a great forehand,” de Minaur said in his post-match interview. “He’s taken some big scalps and hopefully I’m not the next one.” The match is expected to be a hard-fought contest, and de Minaur will need to continue his solid form if he is to progress to the fourth round.
Boyer’s run in Australia came to an end with the defeat, but the 23-year-old can take pride in his performances during the tournament. The American had a breakthrough run, coming through qualifying and then upsetting Federico Coria in a five-set thriller in the first round. Boyer’s success at a Grand Slam was all the more impressive given the personal challenges he has faced recently. His hometown of Altadena, California, has been severely affected by wildfires, and many of his friends and family have been displaced. Boyer’s father was forced to evacuate their home, and the emotional toll of these events clearly weighed on the young player. Despite these distractions, Boyer fought hard throughout the tournament, and his resilience was evident.
After the match, de Minaur expressed his sympathy for Boyer’s situation, sending his thoughts and well wishes to those affected by the wildfires. “It’s something you hate to see, you never want to see, and I’m sending lots of love all the way there,” de Minaur said, acknowledging the difficult circumstances Boyer was dealing with.
Looking ahead, de Minaur’s path to a potential quarter-final clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains open. Sinner, who is also progressing through the tournament, is set to face local wildcard Tristan Schoolkate in the evening. Should de Minaur continue his strong form, the prospect of facing the Italian star could be an exciting challenge in the coming rounds.
