Alex de Minaur is relishing the challenge of facing world number one Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Melbourne, Australia, January 21, 2025 | Gillian Tan
There will be a special occasion for Alex de Minaur as he walks into the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, receiving a wild atmosphere and almost guaranteed applause from 15,000 fans.
The 25-year-old, playing in her eighth Australian Open, is no stranger to the iconic court, but when she takes to the baseline it will be her first quarter-final at Melbourne Park.
The lightning-quick right-hander, who dropped his lone set during the tournament, is delighted to have achieved another career milestone. That means he has the bragging rights to win all four Grand Slams in his last eight appearances, becoming only the fifth Australian player to do so. In the open era, advanced to the major quarterfinals for the fourth time in a row.
> Read: De Minaur joins elite company at Australian Open 2025
But the Eight Seeds’ most important mission is not yet complete.
A maiden major that would end a drought in Australian men’s tennis that stretches back to Lleyton Hewitt’s 2002 Wimbledon title and Mark Edmondson’s 1976 crown at the AO is the Demon’s main target.
“We’re not that far away from winning a big title,” said Davis Cup captain Hewitt.
First, significant obstacles loom. The Demon’s quarterfinal opponent is none other than top seed Jannik Sinner. He is the defending AO champion, having shown particularly hot form on hard courts, winning his second Grand Slam title at the US Open last September. The Italian has compiled a season-leading 73-6 record, including two major titles and six titles.
“Jannik is a really great player.” said De Minaur, who practiced with 23-year-old Jannik this week.
While the Demon has a head-to-head record of 0-9 against the popular redhead, he plans to focus on the pair’s clash in last year’s final in Rotterdam, where he lost 7-5 6-4.
“I was physically 100 percent and I think it was a pretty good battle with some opportunities here and there.” The Australian had six chances to beat Sinner during that match, recalled the Australian.
De Minaur, who plans to identify any weaknesses the Italian showed during the week, will not let the past linger on his mind for too long.
“The great thing about tennis is that when you step on the court, you both start at 0-0. Right? It’s a completely new day, a completely new game and anything can happen,” said the 25-year-old, who is looking forward to the challenge.
> READ: De Minaur reaches first Australian Open quarterfinals
Demon, whose movement and noticeably bigger serve are big assets, will soak up the support of those who promise to be a vocal crowd. He will try to test Sinner’s ability to react physically after the Italian admitted he was not 100% during his win over Holger Rune on Monday.
“This will be the first match of this entire tournament where I am the underdog and there is no pressure or expectation to win,” said the world No. 8, who is currently two places behind his career-best ranking of No. 1. 6.
“Sports are unpredictable. [and] That’s the mindset I’m going to have.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than play well here in Australia.”
You can’t miss the Demon’s quarterfinals, but don’t forget to see other Australian players in action. Australian Open Day 11 Including the mixed doubles semifinal between John Peers and Olivia Gadecki against New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and Michael Venus, or the third round clash between Yuliya Perapekhina and Emerson Jones.
Find out how to play: visit play.tennis.com.au Go to the court and have fun!
