Aussie Alex De Minaur is eyeing his second ATP semi-final in as many weeks when he plays Spaniard Feliciano Lopez tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8.15pm (AEDT).
De Minaur is a player on the rise. Not only has he defeated established stars such as Fernando Verdasco, Steve Johnson, Milos Raonic and Damir Dzumhur, he has beaten all of them in straight sets.
Indeed, the only set he has dropped in recent matches was against Ryan Harrison en route to a tough three-set loss at the Brisbane International last week.
De Minaur’s performances of late reflect a young mind grounded by the tutelage of none other than Lleyton Hewitt, who has shaped De Minaur into a confident player not affected by hubris.
Tonight, the young Aussie takes centre stage against Lopez. The Spaniard is coming off a very good win over Diego Schwartzman but he will need to improve to beat De Minaur tonight in Sydney.
Lopez’s strength is his serve and forehand. He has won three of his six tournaments on grass, meaning he likes to serve and volley frequently.
However, the problem for Lopez tonight concerns the fact De Minaur is a very good returner of serve. The likes of Raonic and Verdasco failed to gain much reward from their big serving, and it remains to be seen if Lopez will gain any leverage given how well De Minaur is defending from the back of the court.
Furthermore, De Minaur gets on the front foot very well for a player his age, using his forehand consistently to put players under pressure.
Prediction
On form, De Minaur is difficult to bet against, particularly with home crowd support adding further advantage and incentive for him to do well. Lopez is a solid player, but can lose his way mentally when under pressure, and De Minaur is just the sort of player that can frustrate the Spaniard if he continues to play with the tenacity he has shown over the past week.
Overall, De Minaur’s quality should see him through to another ATP semi-final.
De Minaur in three sets.
Scott Pryde
Expert
How good is this kid. Hope he finishes this week strong and then really takes it to Berdych next week.
Alan
Roar Guru
De Minaur is through to another ATP tour semifinal courtesy of another mature and composed straight sets victory over Lopez. De Minaur will now face the Frenchman Benoit Paire for a place in the final. Given what I have seen thus far, De Minaur is a very real shot of winning his maiden ATP tour title...at the tender age of 18 years old. De Minaur 6 6 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH DE MINAUR De Minaur 6 6 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Match point.... De Minaur 6 5 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
30-30 as Lopez remains composed and De Minaur nets the backhand. De Minaur 6 5 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez once again nets the backhand slice. 15-0. Some really poor unforced errors tonight from the Spaniard. 30-0 De Minaur 6 5 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez with another ace for 40-15. He holds. De Minaur to serve for the match! De Minaur 6 5 Lopez 4 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez misses with the volley again and De Minaur holds. So close to the semifinals... De Minaur 6 5 Lopez 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez again fails with the backhand, wide of the line. 15-0. De Minaur struggling to get first serves in. De Minaur 6 4 Lopez 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Momentum shift as Lopez races to 30-0. Game point. Lopez with the serve and forehand combination and he holds. De Minaur 6 4 Lopez 4 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Two break points for Lopez as De Minaur allows the Spaniard a rare opening. BREAK LOPEZ De Minaur 6 4 Lopez 4 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez is losing his way like Verdasco and Dzumhur before him. De Minaur has every opponent covered thus far. I don't see anyone in the draw troubling De Minaur to be honest if he keeps this up. De Minaur 6 4 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
BREAK DE MINAUR De Minaur 6 4 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Forehand working well for De Minaur. 23 winners thus far. Have to say that he can win the tournament based on what I have seen. Great defence yet again and its break point De Minaur 6 3 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Passing forehand winner again from De Minaur and its deuce. Lopez really annoyed and under real pressure. De Minaur 6 3 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez's frustration grows as he talks to himself. De Minaur once again gets the crowd to its feet as his foot speed still allows him to get to a drop shot and secure the winner! De Minaur 6 3 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez with some loose shots and its 40-15 De Minaur. Ace down the tee and he holds De Minaur 6 3 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
More unforced errors from Lopez and De Minaur leads 30-0. Composure from the Aussie superb. 30-15 De Minaur 6 2 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Lopez's serve is a real bomb when hit well. Does great damage. He holds. De Minaur 6 2 Lopez 4 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Superb lob from De Minaur and its deuce. Lopez under real pressure from a red hot Australian in form. De Minaur 6 2 Lopez 4 0