Alex de Minaur has sent an emphatic message to the tennis world that he is a dark horse when the Australian Open begins in a fortnight’s time, the hometown hero crushing American world No.10 Taylor Fritz to keep Team Australia’s hopes alive at the United Cup.

De Minaur, whose previous match at the tournament was a tough three-set loss to Briton Cameron Norrie, produced one of his most spectacular performances to leave the US Open quarter-finalist struggling for answers.

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The 24-year old, ranked 12th in the world but without a grand slam quarter-final appearance since 2020, was too fast for the American’s power game, his trademark run and gun approach and superb court coverage breaking Fritz’s serve repeatedly – as well as his own shoelaces.

“He’s genuinely unbeatable,” Fritz complained to his team after de Minaur broke via a spectacular point for a 5-2 lead in the second set.

Only near the end did the Australian waver, giving Fritz his first break points for the match with a series of nervy shots and double-faulting on match point; but de Minaur would eventually secure the victory at the third time of asking.

“I’m not sure I’ve seen him play better than this,” former Australian tennis star and Wimbledon finalist Mark Phillippoussis said on Stan Sport.

The win leaves Australia needing to win the women’s singles and mixed doubles ties to take top spot in their group and automatically progress to the quarter-finals; win one of those, and the calculators will need to come out.

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