Alex de Minaur claims four-set victory over compatriot Jordan Thompson to advance to the US Open 2024 men’s singles quarterfinals.
New York, USA, September 3, 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Alex de Minaur produced his best tournament performance to date as he defeated compatriot Jordan Thompson in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open men’s singles tournament.
“I’m happy with the win,” De Minaur said. “It’s never easy to play with a friend and teammate in an important match. It wasn’t easy, but I did what I had to do and I’m happy to be in the quarter-finals again.”
De Minaur, 25, made a great start to the highly anticipated clash between the Australians, the first meeting between two Australians at this stage of the tournament in 31 years.
De Minaur won the first set 6-0, winning eight points apiece and conceding just 10, increasing the pressure on world number 32 Thompson.
The 30-year-old Thompson, who was playing in the fourth round of a major tournament for the first time in four years, managed to fight his way through the match to level the score at one set.
However, the experience of playing in big arenas came through in De Minaur, the world’s number 10 player, who calmly made up for lost ground and won 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in less than three hours.
“I have a huge amount of respect for Thommo,” De Minaur said. “We grew up together, he was like a big brother to me, so I really appreciate everything he did for me. He’s fiercely competitive, my Davis Cup teammate, and I can’t wait to share the court with him many, many more times.”
De Minaur has continued his dominance in matches against other Australians over the past six years, winning 17 of 20 matches against his peers during that period.
“It’s just mentality,” De Minaur said of the secret to his recent success. “Positive no matter what, try to play every point, try to win every point and, as always, fight with all your heart.”
With this latest victory, De Minaur joins the distinguished ranks of just the seventh Australian to reach multiple men’s US Open quarterfinals in the Open era.
Only two other Australians – Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt – have achieved this in the last 50 years.
| US Open, Men’s Singles Australians to reach multiple quarter-finals in Open era |
|
| Player | Year |
| John Nowcombe | 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974 |
| Ken Rosewall | 1968, 1970, 1973, 1974 |
| Tony Roche | 1969, 1970 |
| Fred Stolle | 1969, 1972 |
| Pat Rafter | 1997, 1998 |
| Lleyton Hewitt | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 |
| Alex de Minaur | 2020, 2024 |
De Minaur is also the first Australian in almost 20 years to reach three consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, with Hewitt last achieving that feat in 2004-05.
“It’s always nice to reach milestones,” De Minaur said.
“[But] I don’t make too much of a fuss. I just put my head down and work on my craft. I’m glad you can see the results.”
To reach his first Grand Slam semi-final, De Minaur will have to beat rising British star Jack Draper.
Draper, 22, is enjoying a career-best performance at Grand Slam tournaments and has reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set.
“He’s been playing great tennis all year, so I expect a fight,” De Minaur said of the world No. 25, against whom he has not lost in three previous matches.
“He’s very cunning, so I’ll do my best, give it my all, and we’ll see what happens.”
Australians in action – US Open
RESULTS
Men’s Singles, Fourth Round
[10] Alex de Minaur (Australia) D Jordan Thompson (Australia) Result 6-0 3-6 6-3 7-5
UPCOMING
Men’s singles, quarterfinals
[10] Alex de Minaur (Australia) In [25] Jack Draper (Great Britain)
> SEE: US Open 2024 Men’s Singles Draw
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