De Minaur beats Evans, returns to Top 10 in Live Rankings

Alex de Minaur moved back inside the Top 10 of the PIF ATP Live Rankings Saturday night after defeating an ailing Daniel Evans 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-0 to advance to the US Open second week for the fourth time in his career.

The No. 1 Australian also became the first player from his country to reach the fourth round of all majors in the same season since Lleyton Hewitt 20 years ago. He joins countrymen Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson, whom he faces next, in the second week.

”I’m super proud of what I’ve been able to achieve this year," De Minaur said. "It’s been tough coming back from injury, but I’m so happy to be back here in New York playing these kind of matches. Let’s keep it going.”

Evans came into the clash with a 3-0 lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series over the Australian and appeared to be digging into a dogfight after winning a second-set tie-break to level the match.

But De Minaur's plan to make it a physical match proved telling in the third, when Evans began to suffer from a physical ailment, which required treatment from the physio. In the first round Evans survived a five-hour 35-minute match — the longest match in US Open history — in his epic victory over Karen Khachanov.

Despite not being able to compete at his best in the final two sets, Evans showed character by refusing to bow out through retirement.

“We should show a lot of respect for Dan. He’s the ultimate competitor,” De Minaur said. “He could have easily pulled out; the body obviously wasn’t feeling well. But he stayed out and tried his best and I really appreciate it.

”He’s had the better of me on many occasions, so I’m happy to get one on the board."

In a match that featured 94 net approaches, De Minaur found more success in the forecourt, wining 34 of 44 approaches. He was sharp when Evans approached, nailing several passing shots among his match total of 56 winners.

Playing his first tournament since Wimbledon, where a hip injured forced his withdrawal ahead of a quarter-final with Novak Djokovic, De Minaur has strengthened his hold on eighth place in the PIF ATP Race to Turin, boosting his hopes of making his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals. But his immediate focus is on the great run of the Australian contingent and his looming match with Thompson, against whom he holds a 4-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head record.

“It’s so good for Australian tennis to show what we’re capable of," De Minaur said. "Alexei putting on a show last night to beat Novak. Jordan playing some incredible tennis. It’s a pity we’ve got to play each other. I just need to say that we’re all from Sydney, so there’s something special out there.”