Australia faces a mammoth task to qualify for the next stage of the United Cup, but a stunning performance from world No.12 Alex de Minaur has made it possible.
The nation’s top-ranked player recorded his 14th career win over a top-10 player, and his second over America’s Taylor Fritz in the space of a year, 6-4 6-2 in Perth.
A break in the opening game of the match set up de Minaur’s success and he was not broken once, converting his third match point of the evening.
“I’m not sure I’ve seen him play better than this,” John Fitzgerald said on commentary.
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It comes after de Minaur fell 6-4 2-6 7-6(2) to British world No.18 Cameron Norrie last Friday night.
Tonight’s tie is must-win for Australia’s chances of advancing into the United Cup quarter-finals after both de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic lost their singles ties against Great Britain on route to a 2-1 defeat.
Tomljanovic faces a tricky test against world No.5 Jessie Pegula.
But even if she is defeated, West Aussie pair Storm Hunter and Matt Ebden could clinch the tie and keep the host nation alive in the mixed doubles.
Australia must win 3-0, or 2-1 while dropping as few sets as possible, to win the group and guarantee they’ll advance to the quarter-finals.
Group C standings at start of night
1. USA (1-0 ties, 2-1 matches, 5-3 sets)
2. Great Britain (1-1 ties, 3-3 matches, 7-8 sets)
3. Australia (0-1 ties, 1-2 matches, 3-4 sets)
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