18-year-old Alex de Minaur has recorded the biggest win of his career by defeating fourth seed Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-4, in the second round of the Brisbane Open.
The Australian wild card entrant, who defeated Steve Johnson in the first round, electrified the crowd inside the Pat Rafter Arena with play that exceeded his age. Refusing to be intimidated by fast-serving Raonic, who was playing his first match since suffering a wrist injury, de Minaur continuously stood inside the court and returned the ball early against the Canadian. Applying pressure onto the world No.21 and disrupting his mindset throughout the entire match.
“I tried to change my returning position a bit to try and throw him (Raonic) off a bit.” De Minaur said about his tactics used in the match. “I think he probably didn’t have his best service day, which helped me a lot and I took advantage of it.”
“I’m very proud.” He added.
Return game = 🔥#BrisbaneTENnis @alexdeminaur pic.twitter.com/ePNwGPWRt7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) 3 January 2018
During the opening set, de Minaur broke in the third game before successfully fended off a trio of break points on route to the 6-4 lead. Clearly pumped up for the occasion, the aggressive play of the Spanish-based player proved too much for Raonic, who only managed to get 48% of his first service points in.
A similar pattern formed in the second set with the teenager increasing in belief. Former Wimbledon finalist Raonic saved four break points in two service games before succumbing. A forehand into the net from his rival, elevated de Minaur to a set and 3-2 lead. Two games later, the double break for 5-2 was secured with the help of another error from Raonic. Nerves was not visible from the Australian he edged towards the finish line. Leading 5-4, he raced to a 40-0 lead before a Raonic forehand going long sent him into his first ATP quarter-final.
“A new star! Alex De Minaur!”
The Aussie youngster soaks up the applause. Lleyton Hewitt is on his feet. What a moment. #BrisbaneTENnis pic.twitter.com/GAdcJZeuW5
— #BrisbaneTennis (@BrisbaneTennis) 3 January 2018
“I honestly can’t believe it.” The world No.208 said about the win.
“It’s going to take a while for me to believe what has happened just right now. I’m just lost for words.”
“At the end of the day I was going to come out here and compete at my hardest and give it my all. I actually ended up playing an unbelievable match. It’s crazy!”
Awaiting de Minaur in the quarterfinals will be Saudi Arabian-born American player Michael Mmoh. Mmoh stunned eighth seed Mischa Zverev 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, in his second round match.
“It’s going to be fun. I’m going to go out there like it is just another match,” he said about the upcoming clash. “I’m going to go out there, compare my hardest and give it my all. If I leave it all out there on the court, there is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“It’s a dream come true having him on the sidelines, I still can’t believe it”, says a very emotional Alex De Minaur about Lleyton Hewitt’s support after beating former champion Milos Raonic in Brisbane.
Future is bright.
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) 3 January 2018
