Australian Open: Alex De Minaur one to watch after win over Fernando Verdasco at Sydney International
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Australian teen sensation Alex De Minaur's sizzling form has continued with an upset win over Fernando Verdasco in the opening round of the Sydney International.
Fresh off his stunning form in Brisbane, where he reached the last four in stunning style, the 18-year-old produced a comprehensive 6-4, 6-2 win over the Spanish world number 40.
"I played great today, I feel like I'm just riding this wave. I'm playing some great tennis, I really don't want it to stop," he said.
De Minaur will take on seventh seed and world number 30 Damir Dzumhur in the second round and is looking to draw inspiration from his success in Brisbane.
"[The Brisbane International run] helped me a lot with confidence. I really started to believe in my ability and I just come out to every single match and give it my all," he said.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has been impressed with De Minaur's determination.
"Alex brings to the court what we want all our athletes to bring to the court — that grit, that toughness and desire, every single ball, every single point," Tiley said.
"He's a lot of fun to watch. He's a great kid off the court as well."
De Minaur's ranking rose from 208 to a career-high 167 after he advanced to the semi-final of the Brisbane International last week.
Tiley credits the teenager's mentor and Australian Davis Cup Team Captain, Lleyton Hewitt.
"If Alex keeps that game up and Lleyton keeps working with him and the other mentors and coach, I think he's in for a great future," he said.
De Minaur notched the biggest win of his career at the Brisbane International after he defeated former world number three Milos Raonic in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals.
Following that stunning upset, the 18-year old paid tribute to Hewitt.
"It's honestly a dream come true having him on the sidelines. I still can't believe it," De Minaur said.
De Minaur has the Kyrgios seal of approval
Like his mentor, De Minaur became the youngest Australian to reach an ATP World Tour semi-final since Hewitt in 2000.
He then went down to American Ryan Harrison in three sets, missing out on what would've been a dream final against Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios clinched the Brisbane title, and the world-number-17 sees similarities with De Minaur.
"I remember when I was a young chap and had no pressure on me, I was cleaning people up like he is," Kyrgios said on court at the Brisbane International.
"He's an unbelievable talent. He's a great kid as well, it's exciting to have a new face like that.
"He's got a lot of good guys to guide him, obviously Lleyton and the team. He's unbelievable to watch, I think he's going to have a great year."
De Minaur was born in Australia before moving to Spain as child, where he spent most of his life.
He represented Spain but after returning to Australia six years ago, De Minaur wanted to play for his birth country because he felt a stronger connection.
"It's great to be home, I love it here," De Minaur said.
"I did a lot of training here when I was growing up, so this court really feels like home."
De Minaur made his grand slam debut at the 2017 Australian Open after receiving a wild card, where he progressed to the second round.
After securing another wildcard play-off at Melbourne Park next week, De Minaur is hoping to create more memorable moments.
Topics: tennis, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia
