AS IT HAPPENED: De Minaur fairytale ends as World No.5 comes back from two sets to one down to break Aussie hearts

Australia’s Alex de Minaur continues his journey tonight at the Australian Open when he takes on Andrey Rublev in the fourth round at Rod Laver Arena. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the action from 7pm (AEDT).

Other than an early slip against Canadian Milos Raonic, de Minaur has been untroubled so far this Australian Open, with his last two victories in straight sets.

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De Minaur had to work for his 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over Flavio Cobolli in the third round, but eventually his court craft, movement and net play proved too much for the young Italian. Tougher tests lay ahead, and that begins tonight against Rublev.

The world No.5 survived a five-set marathon in the first round against Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild. From there on, though, it has been plain sailing; in the third round, he defeated Adelaide International winner Sebastian Korda in straight sets 6-2, 7-6, 6-4.

Rublev is still to reach a grand slam semi-final and will be desperate to keep that quest alive here.

Prediction

De Minaur leads the head-to-head 3-2; however, Rublev won their last match at last year’s Paris Masters.

With de Minaur in career best form, I think this will go the distance. It may come to a battle of will in the end, and this is where the Melbourne crowd can prove the difference.

De Minaur in five sets.

Match Information

Venue: Rod Laver Arena
Start Time: 7pm (AEDT)
TV: Channel 9
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: De Minaur $2.05 Rublev $1.75 – odds via PlayUp

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