Alex de Minaur has announced himself as an Australian Open contender with a come-from-behind win against Alexander Zverev in the United Cup semi-final in Sydney on Saturday night (AEDT).
With Australia 1-0 down against Germany after Ajla Tomljanovic lost to Angelique Kerber, De Minaur fought back from a set down to defeat world no.7 Zverev 5-7 6-3 6-4 in two hours, 42 minutes.
It was De Minaur's third top 10 win in a week, having beaten world no.1 Novak Djokovic and no.10 ranked Taylor Fritz at the United Cup.
The tie was decided by the mixed doubles, with Storm Hunter and Matthew Ebden going down 7-6(2) 6-7(2) 15-13 in a super tiebreak to Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev.
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De Minaur fights back to defeat Zverev
De Minaur went into the match full of confidence with wins against Djokovic (6-4, 6-4) and Fritz (6-4, 6-2) in his last two outings.
However, with Tomljanovic going down 4-6 6-2 7-6(7) to Kerber in the first tie, the Australian knew only victory would keep the host nation's United Cup final hopes alive.
The opening set was tight with Zverev breaking De Minaur's serve with the only break point in the 11th game before serving it out 7-5.
But De Minaur is known for his fighting qualities and after saving three break points in the fifth game of the second set, the Aussie broke Zverev before clinching the second 6-3.
With it all on the line in the final set, De Minaur broke Zverev in the opening game with the only break point of the set, before the Australian calmly held serve for the rest of the match to win the set 6-4.
When is Australian Open 2024?
Australian Open 2024 will commence on Sunday, January 14 and become a 15-day event for the first time, finishing on Sunday, January 28.