After recovering from a mid-year injury blow, Alex de Minaur has not taken long to get back to business at the US Open.
The No. 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings eased past qualifier Otto Virtanen 7-5, 6-1, 7-6(3) on Thursday afternoon to book his third-round spot at the hard-court major. Renowned as one of the fiercest competitors on the ATP Tour, De Minaur has now dropped just one set across his two matches so far in New York, where he returned to action after missing seven weeks due to a hip injury.
“I’m very happy [about the win], and obviously happy to be back on court playing in front of you guys,” said De Minaur in his on-court interview. “It’s always a great atmosphere in New York. I’m happy to keep going. Every day I’m getting a little bit better and I’m looking forward to what’s to come."
A classic @alexdeminaur point:@usopen | #USOpen
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Despite not having competed since Wimbledon, De Minaur has seamlessly resumed a standout year in New York. The 25-year-old Australian is now 38-12 for the season, and he will hope to continue his impressive comeback in his next match against Mariano Navone or Daniel Evans.
“I’m getting better ever day," said De Minaur. "I still don’t have a lot of expectations, but I know that every time I step out here I’m going to compete, I’m going to try my hardest and hopefully put on a show. Let’s see if I can keep it going.”
[ATP APP]De Minaur was joined in the third round by his countrymen Jordan Thompson and Christopher O’Connell.
Thompson notched his first victory against a Top 10 opponent at a Grand Slam by upsetting seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-5. The World No. 32 enjoyed a standout day on serve, winning 82 per cent (42/51) of points behind his first delivery en route to victory in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Hurkacz. Thompson next takes on 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi, who defeated Roman Safiullin 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
O’Connell reached the third round of a major for the third time by overcoming Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. The 30-year-old will next prepare for a meeting with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Nuno Borges prevented Thanasi Kokkinakis from making it a perfect start to the day for the Australian men in New York, however. The Portuguese downed Kokkinakis 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 to advance to face Jakub Mensik or Tristan Schoolkate.
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