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There is not any such factor as a meaningless match for Alex de Minaur.
The Australian registered his first-ever win over 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal on the United Cup, downing the Spaniard 3-6 6-1 7-5.
Whereas not on the most important stage – the conflict was a part of a lifeless tie with Nice Britain already progressing to the subsequent spherical of the competitors – it is nonetheless top-of-the-line of the 23-year-old’s profession.
Till Monday evening in Sydney, de Minaur had by no means crushed a participant ranked No.1 or No.2 on this planet – now he has crushed arguably the perfect of all time.
“I could not be happier to get my first win over Rafa on this courtroom in entrance of you guys,” de Minaur mentioned, acknowledging the town the place he grew up.
“I knew it was going to be a battle – Rafa is a hell of a competitor.”
World No.2 Nadal began inauspiciously, happening an early break, solely to reel off 4 straight video games to grab the primary set.
That momentum continued with one other break to start out the second set, just for the Sydney native to supply a few of his personal trademark grit and storm via the subsequent six video games.
The decider was a blended bag – de Minaur’s foot velocity and skill to tear out winners from defensive positions towards the brute pressure and expertise of Nadal.
The pair traded breaks halfway via the set earlier than an error-strewn 11th recreation from Nadal noticed de Minaur serve for the match.
There could be no extra drama because the Australian served it out to like to say the win.
After a patchy again half of 2022 and a shock loss to Nice Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Spain’s opening tie, there have been questions being raised about Nadal’s type and motivation as he heads into the twilight of his profession.
Since pulling out of the Wimbledon semi-final of 2022 towards Nick Kyrgios, he has had 4 wins on tour from 11 begins.
De Minaur finishes the match with a 1-1 singles file after additionally falling to Norrie.
-AAP
