De Minaur Faces Tough Test Against Cerundolo in Australian Open Round 3

MELBOURNE, Australia — Alex de Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked men’s tennis player, faced a stern challenge from Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday. The match, played on Rod Laver Arena, saw de Minaur struggle with his serve but ultimately hold his ground in a tightly contested battle.

De Minaur, seeded eighth, entered the match with high expectations after cruising through his first two rounds without dropping a set. However, Cerundolo, ranked 31st, proved to be a formidable opponent, leveraging his powerful forehand and relentless spin to push the Australian to his limits. The first set was a rollercoaster, with de Minaur failing to capitalize on a 5-4 lead and eventually losing it 7-5.

“That’s how you do damage through the wind,” former Australian Open champion Jim Courier remarked from the commentary box, praising de Minaur’s resilience. Despite the setback, de Minaur’s exceptional return game and speed kept him in contention, as he aimed to break into the fourth round for the third time in his career.

Cerundolo, known for his prowess on clay, has shown adaptability on hard courts, though his inconsistency remains a concern. The Argentine had a relatively smooth path to the third round, benefiting from a walkover in the second round after his opponent retired. However, de Minaur’s home-court advantage and recent form made him the favorite.

“De Minaur has been in impressive form, winning his first two matches without dropping a set,” said Tope Oke, one of the analysts predicting the match. “His return game is exceptional, and he leads the tour in break percentage. It would be a huge upset if Cerundolo wins.”

Elsewhere in the tournament, 20-year-old American Alex Michelsen continued his fairytale run, defeating Russian No. 19 seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets. Michelsen, who stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, will face the winner of the de Minaur-Cerundolo match in the fourth round.

On the women’s side, German lucky loser Eva Lys advanced to the fourth round after overcoming Jaqueline Cristian in a three-set thriller. Lys, who entered the main draw with just 10 minutes’ notice, now faces a daunting challenge against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

As the Australian Open progresses, the spotlight remains on de Minaur, who carries the hopes of a nation eager for a homegrown champion. His ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be crucial as he seeks to make a deep run in the tournament.