1 month ago
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Alex de Minaur knew there was only one way to banish the narrative about big hitters being his kryptonite. He had to prove it wrong beyond doubt.
Two days after producing his best performance at any Australian Open in dispatching American Frances Tiafoe, de Minaur went to another level to destroy Alexander Bublik and book a blockbuster quarter-final against world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
The big-striking Bublik stunned de Minaur from two sets down in the second round at Roland-Garros last year, then repeated the dose in the Paris Masters quarter-finals in October.
But after an intriguing start to Sunday night’s contest – where they were locked at four-all – Australia’s world No.6 put Bublik to the sword, winning 14 of the next 16 games for a dominant 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 win in only 92 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Now, de Minaur faces men’s world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates during his clash with Tommy Paul.Credit: Eddie Jim
Alcaraz, who is missing only an Australian Open title to complete his grand slam collection, has not dropped a set at Melbourne Park in reaching his third quarter-final in the country.
He has never gone beyond this stage at the Open, but boasts a 5-0 head-to-head record with de Minaur, although each of the matches has been competitive. It is their first clash at a major.
