Alex de Minaur is embracing the pressure and expectations after copping a devilish draw for the Australian Open in Melbourne.
De Minaur will launch his Open campaign against big-hitting Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, with former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas lurking as potentially the great home hope’s first big threat.
Alex de Minaur’s first-round opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp.Credit: Getty Images
Seeded in the top eight at a grand slam for the first time, the “Speed Demon” will need to hit top gear quickly.
While now ranked a lowly 82nd in the world, van de Zandschulp ousted four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz from last year’s US Open and has been as high as No.22 before being hindered by injuries.
If he can get past van de Zandschulp, the eighth-seeded de Minaur will play either a qualifier or Argentine Federico Coria in round two.
De Minaur’s first projected seeded opponent is Argentina’s world No.31 Francisco Cerundolo in the third round, with 2023 runner-up Tsitsipas possibly awaiting in the last 16.
AAP
