Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Monday, January 20, 2025
Photo credit: Darian Traynor/Getty
home hero Alex de Minaur unplug Alex Michelson Electric Australian Open.
The diminutive De Minaur reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time in his eighth consecutive match, defeating the 20-year-old Michelsen 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-3.
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World number eight De Minaur is the third Australian in the past 20 years to reach the quarter-finals in Melbourne, joining the ranks of Davis Cup captains Lleyton Hewitt (2005) and Nick Kyrgios (2015) achieved this feat.
The 25-year-old De Minaur advanced to his fourth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals, becoming the eighth Australian player in the Open era to reach the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Michelsen was competing in this AO race at night for the first time and said he had difficulty adapting to the slower conditions. Michelson attributed his eight-game decline and static movement more to course conditions than nerves.
“I always play in the daytime when it’s very hot, and then tonight when I play, it’s a little cold. I feel like the ball is coming to me a lot slower,” Michelson told the media in Melbourne. “I didn’t find my footing. I think that’s a big part of it.
“I was definitely a little nervous, but that’s not really why I lost eight games in a row. I just couldn’t find my footing. Obviously, playing against a guy like Alex, he’s not going to give it to you for free. Anything, when the ball fizzes up fast, you always have this thought going through your mind: You’re not going to hit the winning shot, I’m obviously not going to get it.
Michelsen, who lost just five games in his only hard-court meeting with De Minaur last season at a livelier Los Cabos stadium, was clearly disappointed with the loss but also heartbroken. Proud of his best Grand Slam performance.
A dynamic 20-year-old, Michaelson defeated former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in his first match before defeating 2023 AO semifinalist Karen in the third round Karen Khachanov.
The difference is that De Minaur, nicknamed “The Devil,” is faster and more accurate on the pitch than these two big hitters. De Minaur made 25 unforced errors, 25 fewer than Michelsen. De Minaur was dominant despite shooting 42% from the field.
“I think Alex made more shots than all three guys I played against,” Michelson said. “He doesn’t miss a shot, he doesn’t give me anything for free. I think his serve is weak and I think that’s it.
“I mean, he’s a lot faster than everybody and moves better. His backhand is absolute money. Don’t miss it. He hit the line really well with his backhand today.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect it. But I knew he wasn’t going to be with me in that backhand faceoff because everyone knows my forehand is weaker. I’m going to change that.”
It was a transformative game for the 20-year-old Michelsen, who along with his 19-year-old training partner and friend learner field Produced a fantastic fourth round in Australia.
While Michelsen didn’t discuss his ranking goals for the rest of the season – it’s clear he’ll earn a Grand Slam seeding if he continues to play at this level and strengthens his weaker forehand wing – He sees Melbourne as a springboard for future success.
“I definitely have some goals, I don’t want to say it in a press conference, but I do have goals,” Michelsen said. “I don’t put too much pressure on myself in terms of rankings.
“I’m 20 years old and ranked 36th in the world. I know it’s good and I’m very happy about it now.”
