First Djokovic, then Alcaraz: de Minaur is on fire in 2024
Alex de Minaur has continued his stellar start to the season, this time taking down world No 2 Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition match
© Zuma / Panoramic
Australian Alex de Minaur beat Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 5-7, 10-3 at a pre-Australian Open exhibition match in Melbourne on Wednesday evening.
Having just defeated world No 1 Novak Djokovic at the United Cup last week, the Aussie has added another accolade to his rapid start in 2024, this time knocking off the world No 2 in front of a home crowd.
“I’m extremely happy,” de Minaur said of his performance in the charity match. “My level is in a good spot coming into Melbourne. I’ve had a good 2024, it’s been very good to me.”
De Minaur, who cracked the world’s top 10 for the first time in his career this Monday, came out playing confident tennis against Alcaraz, claiming the first set 6-4. The two-time Grand Slam champion quickly bounced back with a hard fought 7-5 second set, sending the exhibition match to a match tiebreak.
Despite having just lost the second set, de Minaur won the 10-point tiebreak by a wide margin, racing away with the match to claim his second top five win in the last week.
“Hopefully I can keep it going, and I’m excited to get started here in Melbourne,” said de Minaur after the match, of the upcoming Australian Open.
Heading into the year’s first Grand Slam, it’s safe to say that de Minaur–with a local crowd behind him and sky-high confidence–will be a player to watch.
