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'Wizard of Aus' De Minaur carries nation's hopes against world No.1 in Australian Open
Sam Kosack • January 21st, 2025 4:03 pm
Alex De Minaur stands as Australia’s last hope in the Australian Open ahead of his greatest challenge thus far in the tournament.
‘The Demon’ became the first Australian male to make the quarter finals of the Australian Open since Nick Kyrgios in 2015 after a straight sets victory over American Alex Michelsen on Monday.
De Minaur has admitted he feels the expectation of carrying the nation’s hopes in this year’s competition, writing ‘No place like home’ on a camera after his fourth-round win, and ‘The Wizard of Aus’ will need to defeat world No.1 Jannik Sinner to advance beyond the final eight.
It will be De Minaur’s greatest challenge yet, but SEN tennis expert Brett Phillips believes now is his biggest opportunity to knock off the world’s best.
“The level of opponent goes up now, but in saying that, now is the time you can grab Jannik Sinner,” Phillips told SEN 1170 Mornings.
“It's almost like you're going up against yourself in the mirror, but this guy is another level up.
“Certainly, in Alex’s case, the mountain his high to climb against Sinner… but can he find that little chink… because if I’m being honest that's what’s it’s going to take; for Sinner to just be not at his absolute best for De Minaur to get over the line.”
Phillips believes however, that there will be no issue with De Minaur handling the pressure.
“I think he’ll cope with it all okay,” Phillips said.
“He’s made of the right stuff; he's a ripper young guy. His tennis speaks for itself the way he handles the media and everything around him.
“I think he's superb, there's no issues in that regard.”
De Minaur is the last standing Aussie across the men’s, women’s, and double’s tournaments.
He will take on Sinner tomorrow for a place in the final four.
