Tennis sensation Alex de Minaur’s incredible run at the French Open has drawn to a close following his quarter-finasl loss to Olympic champion Alexander Zverev on Wednesday, June 5.
After becoming the first Australian man to reach the quarter-finals since Lleyton Hewitt 20 years ago, de Minaur’s time at Roland Garros came to an end following 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 after Zverev proved too strong on the court.
From the outset, De Minaur launched a relentless assault, never allowing Zverev a moment of rest.
However, the Olympic gold medalist matched the Aussie’s intensity, enduring de Minaur’s relentless fight, including a remarkable comeback when Zverev was serving for the match at 5-3.
A stunning 25-shot rally, capped by a de Minaur drop-shot winner, set the tone in the second game.
The match featured numerous extraordinary exchanges, including a memorable second-set rally where de Minaur, despite missing Zverev’s lob, showcased his speed by scrambling back to retrieve the ball and win the point.
De Minaur fought back from an early break with a series of breathtaking backhand volleys and a remarkable running lob.
However, a poor service game at 3-3, marred by backhand errors and a double fault, cost him the first set.
Both players struggled with their serves in the breezy conditions, with double faults leading to multiple breaks in the second set.
De Minaur had a golden opportunity at 6-5, earning a set point with a beautiful lob. Yet, Zverev’s resilience shone through as he not only saved the game but also clawed back from 4-0 down in the tiebreak, eventually securing a set point after a gruelling 39-shot rally.
A deflated de Minaur then hit a forehand long, realising he would need his first-ever comeback from two sets down.
Another break in the sixth game of the third set, punctuated by a double fault, seemed to seal de Minaur’s fate, dashing hopes of being the first Australian man in the Roland Garros semis since Pat Rafter in 1997.
Despite breaking back with a brilliant drop volley, Zverev ramped up the pressure, breaking de Minaur for the fifth time to clinch victory in just under three hours.
After the match, de Minaur admitted that despite giving it his all and leaving his “heart out there” it “just wasn’t good enough”.
“I think I put up a hell of a fight in adverse conditions against a quality opponent,” De Minaur said.
“Had my chances, probably should have taken the second set, and I think we would have been in for a proper battle.
“But I left my heart out there. I did everything I could. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Despite the loss, de Minaur found a silver lining, telling reporters that reaching the quarter-finals “shows the development” he has made as a player.
“To be able to come out here and make quarters on my least-favourite surface, showing that I’m ready to take it to whoever and I’m going to give it my best against whoever,” de Minaur said.
Following to his recent performance on the court, De Minaur is anticipated to climb back to a career-high world No. 9 when the ATP Tour releases its upcoming rankings.
-with AAP.