Alex de Minaur hopes New York’s electric atmosphere can not only help spark another US Open charge but also a late-season surge further up the rankings.
Back in the world’s top 20 after nabbing his sixth career title last month in Atlanta, de Minaur has arrived at Flushing Meadows brimming with belief and ambition as he bids to better his run to the quarter-finals in 2020.
Alex de Minaur is gearing up for a big US Open campaign.Credit:Getty Images
The Australian No.1 hit a flat spot last year after contracting COVID-19, missing the Tokyo Olympics and winning just three matches in his last seven events of the season.
But the 23-year is humming again and says he couldn’t be better prepared for the season’s final grand slam after enjoying a week off to mentally and physically recharge.
“I’m feeling great,” de Minaur said.
The speed demon has deliberately loaded up his tournament schedule in 2022, knowing he has a golden opportunity to gatecrash the top 10 for the first time after already winning 35 matches in his most productive season yet.
“This year has been a consistent year. I decided to play a heavy schedule and really take advantage of my poor results last year,” he said ahead of his US Open first-round clash on Monday against Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic.
“I’ve got nothing to defend so I really want to finish strong and keep winning matches. I’m already in a great position right now but that’s not where I want to finish.
“I want to keep improving and keep pushing myself and I’ve got a great opportunity to do that.”
The secret of de Minaur’s success has been ensuring he doesn’t often lose to lower-ranked rivals, but he admits he needs to start knocking off more big guns to take the next step.
He hopes to give himself that chance at the US Open, an event where he thrives playing in front of rowdy fans who, de Minaur suspects, appreciate his high-octane tennis.
“It’s a slam that’s brought the best tennis out of me. I’ve had my best results here and it’s just good conditions,” de Minaur said.
“Especially when the crowd’s on your side. That’s the biggest thing. If you can get them on your side, then it’s very enjoyable.
“They’re loud but I don’t mind that. Unless you’re playing an American, I feel like they’re a crowd that can relate to someone getting fired up, leaving it all out there, being a battler out there on court.
“So I feel like they’re behind me. I enjoy it here. I play some great tennis and it’s the last slam of the year so, hopefully, I can finish off strong.”
Ranked No.45 in the world and yet to reach the second week of a grand slam in 23 attempts, Krajinovic is one of those players de Minaur knows he should beat.
But Australia’s 18th seed is ever respectful.
“It’s a very tough match,” de Minaur said.
“But it’s best-of-five sets so I’m at a stage right now where I’m ready to hopefully play five sets of good tennis and make it as tough as I can for him.
“It’s going to be an absolute battle and I’m ready for that.”
Meanwhile, Daria Saville has fallen just short of completing a perfect US Open preparation, losing to inspired Russian top seed Daria Kasatkina in a lung-busting WTA final in Quebec.
The Australian No.2 fought hard, saving two match points in a 6-4, 6-4 defeat, but ultimately paid the price for serving lapses in the clutch games.
AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY ONE OF THE US OPEN
From 1am Tuesday AEST
Men’s singles, first round
18-Alex de Minaur v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Jordan Thompson v Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
John Millman v Emilio Nava (USA)
23-Nick Kyrgios v Thanasi Kokkinakis, about 11am
Women’s singles, first round
Ajla Tomljanovic v Karolina Muchova (CZE)
Saville rallied from a service break down in both sets, only to be broken back on each occasion as Kasatkina secured her second title in three weeks since coming out as gay.
The 25-year-old, who is dating an Olympic figure skater, says the public revelation has left her feeling “free and happy” after suppressing her sexuality.
Homosexuality is frowned upon in Russia, with the country’s lawmakers reportedly proposing an expansion of its LGBT “propaganda” ban on the same day of Kasatkina’s public You Tube announcement.
Daria Saville was runner-up in Quebec.Credit:AP
A defiant Kasatakina, though, says she’s been flooded with well-wishes and the off-court release is showing with career-best form on it.
Kasatkina will rise to a fresh career-high ranking of No.9 on Monday and looms as a US Open title force after adding the Quebec trophy to her success earlier this month in San Jose.
Despite the loss, Saville will climb another 15 spots to world No.58 after starting the season ranked outside the top 400.
Elsewhere, Nick Kyrgios feels it’s “win-win” drawing Thanasi Kokkinakis in the US Open first round as he grapples with homesickness, fatigue and the new-found pressures of being an in-form grand slam finalist.
After four months on the road, Kyrgios says he can’t return home to Canberra quick enough to see his family and ailing mother.
But first the Wimbledon runner-up has another slam to attend to, starting with an uncomfortable centre-court meeting with his great mate and Australian Open-winning doubles partner on Monday night (11am Tuesday AEST).
“Obviously you never want to play a good mate first round,” Kyrgios said before an early evening practice session at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.
“I’ve played a lot of mates this swing – Alex de Minaur in Montreal, [Frances] Tiafoe in Washington, [Jack] Sock in doubles.
“Playing Alex was a nightmare, honestly. There’s a couple of guys on tour I’ll never cross the line with because my relationships are so good with them and Thanasi is one of them.
“So I definitely have to find the balance of going out there and competing and at the same time just enjoy the moment.”
AAP
