De Minaur surges into Australian Open second round

Alex de Minaur arrived at the Australian Open as the sixth seed—his highest ever here—and turned Rod Laver Arena into his personal speedway. He dispatched qualifying lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald 6–2, 6–2, 6–3 in just 1 hour and 48 minutes, matching his quickest first-round time from 2021. This was no routine opener; it was a declaration from the world No. 6, conceding only seven games—the fewest in his nine Melbourne campaigns—as the home crowd’s energy pulsed through every point.

“Historically I’ve played pretty well here in Australia, so I enjoy the conditions—it’s quite quick,” he said. “When the sun’s out like today, the conditions are pretty fast. The ball flies through the air. It helps my serve a little bit, to get a little bit more oomph on it and a couple more free points. And I’ve got the crowd behind me as well, so it’s a win-win.”

Sunny courts amplify his edge

Monday’s clear skies at Melbourne Park quickened the hard courts just right for de Minaur’s flat groundstrokes, letting the ball skid low and fast. He broke McDonald five times, targeting the backhand with down-the-line slices before unleashing inside-out forehands that stretched the American wide and forced errors. On his own delivery, he lost just five points on first serve, facing only one break point—a testament to his varied placement that kept returns at bay.

The crowd’s cheers after each converted break built a rhythm, turning the match into a one-sided affair where de Minaur’s 1–2 pattern from the baseline overwhelmed any defensive stand. Fresh from two hard-fought United Cup victories, he carried that momentum seamlessly, stepping inside the baseline on returns to neutralize second serves and shorten points. These conditions, with their predictable bounce, play to his strengths, setting up a platform for the deeper runs he’s chased before.

Tunnel vision drives deeper hunger

Now, de Minaur looks ahead to a second-round clash with Serbian world No. 90 Hamad Medjedovic on Wednesday, a qualifier whose big serve could test the Australian’s return aggression. As a six-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, he’s patted himself on the back for reaching No. 6 but refuses to settle, his mind fixed on bridging the gap to the elite. The psychological weight of home expectations fuels him, blending appreciation for the journey with an unyielding push forward.

“I’ve got kind of that tunnel vision of I want more, every single time,” he said. “So I am working to enjoy a little bit more and appreciate the journey and where I’ve come from to where I am right now. I’ve given myself a little bit of a pat on the back but, at the same time, I want more.”

This mindset, honed through seasons of building consistency, positions him to exploit Melbourne’s pace against younger foes like Medjedovic, perhaps mixing in crosscourt backhands to disrupt service games. The Australian Open’s atmosphere, with its roaring support, amplifies his mental edge, turning potential pressure into propulsion.

Closing in on Alcaraz and Sinner

De Minaur’s real target looms larger: narrowing the divide to superstars Carlos Alcaraz and two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, whose flair and power define the top tier. At No. 6, he’s closer than ever, but sustaining break efficiency over two weeks will demand tactical tweaks—like deeper returns and selective net approaches—to handle their variety. Australia’s top player thrives in this spotlight, his post-match resolve hinting at a campaign that could redefine his ceiling.

“The plan is to go for more, keep on improving, keep pushing and hopefully six is not my career-high ranking,” he added, eyes already on the horizon. In a draw loaded with speed, de Minaur’s blend of pace and poise could carve a path through the chaos, fueled by the very conditions that ignited his opener.