(VIDEO) Alex de Minaur hits utterly absurd around the net post shot in Andrey Rublev thriller

Sunday, 21 January 2024 at 21:30

Alex de Minaur fell to Andrey Rublev in the 2024 Australian Open round of 16 but delivered one of the best shots of the tournament by hitting around the net post in an incredible rally. The Australian secured two tie-breaks, giving him a 2-1 match advantage, but Rublev staged a remarkable comeback in the last two sets, securing a massive 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0 victory and marking his 300th match win.

This is the tenth time Rublev has reached the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam and the third in Melbourne, although he has not been fortunate enough to progress to the last four in the tournament, holding a 0-9 record in quarterfinals.

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The 24-year-old Australian is the last local player to exit the competition, with no Australian, male or female, reaching the quarterfinals. On the men's side, the last to achieve this feat was Nick Kyrgios in 2015, while the women had a notable representative in the former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, who reached at least the quarterfinals for four consecutive years, including the 2022 title before her retirement.

De Minaur will drop out of the top 10, settling as world No. 11, displaced by Fritz's rise to No. 9 and only 50 points behind Stefanos Tsitsipas, who fell three positions and is on the verge of losing the top 10 after five years. De Minaur will return to the court in three weeks at the ATP 500 Rotterdam.

This is the third consecutive year that De Minaur has exited in the fourth round in Melbourne. The 10th seed in the tournament had progressed in excellent form with notable victories over Milos Raonic (6-7, 6-3, 3-0, ret.), Matteo Arnaldi (6-3, 6-0, 6-3), and Flavio Cobolli (6-3, 6-3, 6-1). Although he didn't advance to the quarterfinals, he left one of the best moments of the tournament.

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Alex de Minaur hits an around the net post shot against Andrey Rublev Great scrambling. These guys are pushing each other to come up with some sheer brilliance tonight. A good night to be a tennis fan. 🤤

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10:42 AM · Jan 21, 2024

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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