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.
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.
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
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Spot on watty.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Can't agree. Demon is a real battler but watching him last night he just doesn't have the power in his serve or groundstrokes to compete at the highest level. He tried his hardest to keep in points but his serve was ineffectual - and the fact that he served so many faults on his first serve didn't help. And he rarely beat Rublev with passing shots. Rublev really amped up his game despite cramp and fatigue by teeing off on his groundstrokes in the final set and Demon had nothing to come back with. The 6-0 scoreline said it all. Demon still had the fitness to compete but not the power game. Compare him with Kyrios whose serve is a weapon which gives him so many cheap points. And Nick has the power to pass his opponents. Demon has great heart but I can't see him competing with the elite players.
Tim Miller
Editor
Disagree with this. Last two Aus Opens at this round he's been blown off the park by quality players; this time, he pushed a world No.5 who played a great match to five sets, had chances and couldn't convert. De Minaur's power especially on serving has improved out of sight in the last few months, and I think he's proved this year both tonight and at the United Cup he has the game to take it up to the best in the world - and with a little luck, who knows?
watty
Roar Rookie
Bad luck de minaur. Just smashed in the 5th set. When it comes down to it, he just doesn't have the strength and power to beat the top players consistently. On the male side at least, Australia is not likely to have a credible challenger for the top events for many,many years
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. I will be back for both singles finals next weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
Andrey Rublev proved too strong for Alex De Minaur over a marathon 5 setter. De Minaur had his chances but struggled to take advantage, converting only 3 of 16 break points compared to 8 from 13 for Rublev. His first serve percentage for the match was 53%. If he can improve on this in future big matches, he can take the next step and go deeper in grand slams
David Holden
Roar Guru
RUBLEV WINS 3 SETS TO 2 - 6-4 6-7 6-7 6-3 6-0 Rublev just too good in the 5th set and closes it out with a winner De Minaur 4 7 7 3 0 Rublev 6 6 6 6 6
David Holden
Roar Guru
Too good on the serve and forehand winner. Match point
David Holden
Roar Guru
De Minaur misses a forehand. 3 break points saved
jameswm
Roar Guru
Geez it’s the 5th set!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Rublev drops his forehand into the tape. Break point
jameswm
Roar Guru
Make the guy run! He’s cooked.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Drop shots!!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Serve out wide and forehand winner. Deuce
David Holden
Roar Guru
Rublev drops his backhand into the net
David Holden
Roar Guru
Ace saves the break. Deuce
David Holden
Roar Guru
De Minaur moves him around and hits the off forehand winner. Break point
David Holden
Roar Guru
De Minaur saves with a forehand volley. Rublev clearly struggling
David Holden
Roar Guru
Rublev too strong with the cross court backhand. Match point!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Rublev misses the forehand is cramping a little. 30-30