Alex de Minaur put in an exceptional display earlier today to knock Frances Tiafoe out of the Australian Open.
In what many expected to be one of the matches of Round Three, both players delivered, with some truly exceptional shot-making and lung-busting rallies.
However, in the end, it was a match of small margins, with the hometown favourite edging all three sets narrowly.
He spoke glowingly about Frances Tiafoe after the match, telling reporters at the Australian Open press conference about his relationship with the American as well as how he managed to pick apart his game.
Alex de Minaur explains how he beat Frances Tiafoe
He began by noting:“I have grown up with Frances. I think we both know each other quite well. We know each other’s games quite well.
“We’ve played a lot of battles. In a way, we have, I would say, similar game styles. We’re both not afraid to come to the net. We both move really well. Got quite flat backhands. We like to lean on it.”
Who has impressed you most so far at the Australian Open?
Alex de Minaur then broke down the match: “It was, yeah, about trying to find the patterns that worked for me. I know kind of the patterns he wants to get into and that work for him more often. So it was about knowing what I wanted to do and stay clear to that, and even in the tough moments, kind of back myself.
“Yeah, I had to execute, and that’s what I did today.”
Tiafoe gave his honest opinion about De Minaur before the match too.
Alex de Minaur rates his level ahead of Australian Open fourth round
De Minaur was also unsurprisingly delighted with his level, having managed to dispatch a really tough third-round opponent in straight sets.
He admitted: “I thought that was a great match. For two-and-a-half sets, that was very high-level, and I fought off some tough moments early in the match, and in night, heavy conditions, I was hitting through him and showing that I’ve got a little bit of power myself.
Pick your Australian Open dark horse!
“It was, yeah, a very, very solid performance. I was very pleased with that, and I knew it was going to take something like that to beat Frances, because he has been playing really good. He’s been locked in, solid, and doing all the right things.
“So I was ready for a battle today, and I’m extremely happy that it was done in three sets.”
The 26-year-old will now face Alexander Bublik in what promises to be another popcorn match.
