"It's been an amazing journey to watch him go from a kid where the racket was bigger than he was" - Alex de Minaur recalls first memory of Cruz Hewitt ahead of DC Open showdown

Alex de Minaur has been the shining light of Australia tennis these past few years. The seven-time major quarter-finalist has been the number one talent from his country, but there is a new kid on the block waiting for his chance. Following a tight 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, de Minaur has set up a contest against the 17-year-old at the DC Open in what will be an enthralling tie.

De Minaur had glowing praise for his fellow countryman, but before the prospect of facing him became reality, he had to pick up a win over Tsitsipas. Not an easy feat for him with prior struggles not getting in the way this time around.

Speaking to the Tennis Channel after the match, the Aussie number one was relieved to get past a tricky opponent whose had a lot of joy against him in the past. "It's no secret my head-to-head isn't the greatest against him," he began. "He's gotten the better of me many, many times. I'm happy with how it went today. I didn't have a lot of expectations going in. I kind of played the match on its own merits and ultimately found a way in a tricky, tricky match."

It was their 14th meeting, and only second time de Minaur has wandered off the court as the victorious one. A dreadful record briefly put right for the time being. "We've played a lot early in our careers and I probably wasn't the player then that I am today. But still, he's a hell of a player and he's got a game style that hurts me a lot whenever I play him," he admitted.

"I struggled to get the ball out of his strike zone, especially up high to his backhand where he probably has a little bit of a weakness. In previous matches he kind of held onto that forehand and just spread me around the court and almost bullied me off it. I tried to change it up a little bit here. The conditions are nice and lively and the ball is bouncing high, so I was able to get it kicking up into his backhand a couple of times, and I think that was a key aspect today."

De Minaur again had another hugely frustrating Grand Slam setback, losing to Flavio Cobolli in the last-16 at Wimbledon. He was not in a good place in his press conference after the match with his raw emotions on the defeat showing very clearly.

Nevertheless, he would soon be on top of the world following his marriage to Katie Boulter just days later, celebrating with his new wife for a good few weeks in a very joyous occasion.

"Look, as I said, sometimes when I go into these press conferences it's very soon after a loss, so most of my emotions are still very raw. I haven't really had time to think things through, and sometimes I give those kinds of answers," he recalled.

"But I'm never in doubt about getting back up. That's never a worry for me. I know I'm going to get back up. I know I'm going to get back on the horse, and that's exactly what I did. Not too long later I was already back in a good mood. Obviously I had the wedding to look forward to. We had an amazing time."

The defending champion will take on a fellow countryman in what is one of the most intriguing last-16 matchups. 17-year-old Hewitt recently secured his first ever ATP Tour win against Marcos Giron to book his spot in the second round.

Following de Minaur's win, the two will now clash with the present taking on the future. De Minaur reminisced on his first meeting with the son of two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt.

"My first memory must be about 10 years ago, when he was seven years old. I've always remembered him. I've seen him grow up. It's been an amazing journey to watch him go from a kid where the racket was bigger than he was, to now basically being a man and playing some big-boy tennis."

He had glowing praise for the teenager with a bright future in store. "It's great to see what he's been doing. I've hit with him plenty of times and I'm very much looking forward to that matchup."

It will also be a very interesting watch from the perspective of Hewitt's dad. The Davis Cup captain for Australia, his number one player is set to compete against his son. In reality. de Minaur did not expect him to take a neutral view in this match, picking his son over him.

"Not at all. I would expect him to be in his son's box, and rightfully so," he said. Lleyton has been an immense help for me in my career. He's been my Davis Cup captain and he's been by my side for many, many great moments. I'm just so happy that he's been able to be here and watch his son doing so well. It's an amazing moment. It's going to be a fun match and one for the ages, so I'm looking forward to it."