Alex de Minaur‘s Australian Open begins as the nation’s great white hope, but he faces a tough first-round challenge against Canadian former world No.3 Milos Raonic. Join The Roar for game-by-game updates and rolling coverage from 7pm (AEDT).
After defeating three top-10 players in Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz at the United Cup, plus Carlos Alcaraz in a pre-tournament charity match, de Minaur heads into the first Grand Slam of 2024 in career-best form – and with a new ranking high of No.10 in the world.
But the big-serving Raonic, who looked in good form at last week’s Kooyong Classic and who is a five-time quarter-finalist at Melbourne Park, including a run to the semis in 2016, is an ultra-tough opponent for the Aussie running machine first up.
Can the Demon continue his scintillating form and set up a deep Australian Open run? Or will the Canadian play party pooper in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena crowd?
Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Start: 7pm (AEDT, approx.)
Broadcast: Channel 9
Live stream: 9Now, Stan Sport
Betting: De Minaur $1.09, Raonic $7.00 – odds via PlayUp
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Milos is a family favourite and we were all pumped to see him back. Sad end but he gave it a great go before the hip obviously got too painful.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for your company tonight and be sure to stick with the Roar for the Australian Open matches to follow over the next few days. The Aussies are doing well early on and Alex de Minaur has eyes on a spot in the later rounds based on his current form. Match abandoned Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Tim Miller
Editor
Well that's terribly disappointing - was a cracking match but Raonic clearly hampered by that hip injury. Thanks for the blog Stuart! Did a great job as always :stoked:
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being with me for the match, it is a shame it ended the way it did. Sad news for Raonic but great news for de Minaur as he advances to the second round. Match abandoned Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Raonic put up a great show tonight but could not go on. De Minaur is the winner after the opening two sets were shared. Final Score Match abandoned Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Mid-way through the third game of the third set, Raonic has been unable to go on. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Raonic has walked to the net and the match is over. A hip injury has stopped him in his tracks. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
15-15 de Minaur with the error off the forehand. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
de Minaur coming in waves now as Raonic concedes the opening point of his next service game. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
ACE for the game and the break has been established. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...2 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Advantage de Minaur after Raonic blazes long with the backhand. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Deuce Raonic with three HUGE forehands down the line. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
40-30 de Minaur with the splendid serve out wide that does not come back. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-30 Raonic with a solid forehand winner. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-15 Another ACE for the Aussie. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
ACE The Aussies responds with a better serve. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
00-15 de Minaur errs with the forehand to start his new service game. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The BREAK for de Minaur!!!!!! Raonic with the error off the forehand side. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...1 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-40 Raonic misses the easy forehand. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...0 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0
Stuart Thomas
Expert
30-30 Raonic with a big serve out wide this time. Alex de Minaur………...6…6...0 Milos Raonic……………7…3...0