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Hometown hero Alex de Minaur STUNS Rafael Nadal as the Australian star returns from a set down to record the biggest win of his career against the reigning Australian Open champion.
There is no such thing as a meaningless match for Alex de Minaur.
The Australian recorded his first win over 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal at the United Cup, defeating the Spaniard 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.
While not on the biggest stage – the clash was part of a draw with Great Britain already advancing to the next round of the competition – it remains one of the best of the 23-year-old’s career.
Alex de Minaur beat Rafael Nadal 3-6 6-1 7-5 at the United Cup in Sydney on Monday
Until Monday night in Sydney, de Minaur had never beaten a player ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the world; he now he has possibly beaten the greatest of all time.
“I couldn’t be happier to get my first win over Rafa on this court in front of you,” de Minaur said, acknowledging the city where he grew up.
“I knew it was going to be a battle: Rafa is a great competitor.”
World No. 2 Nadal started inauspiciously, missing an early break, only to rally back four straight games to snatch the first set from him.
It was the first time the 23-year-old Australian had beaten the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
That momentum continued with another break to start the second set, only for the Sydney host to produce some of their own trademark prowess and prevail in the next six games.
The decider was a mixed bag: De Minaur’s foot speed and his ability to pull out winners from defensive positions against the brute force and experience of Nadal.
The pair traded breaks midway through the set before an error-ridden eleventh game by Nadal saw De Minaur serve for the match.
Nadal took the first set despite losing serve early in the opening verse.
But De Minaur fought his way back into the match to record an impressive victory.
There would be no more drama as the Aussie served to claim the win.
After an uneven second half to 2022 and a shock loss to Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Spain’s first tie, questions have been raised about Nadal’s form and motivation as he heads into the twilight of his career.
Since pulling out of the 2022 Wimbledon semifinal against Nick Kyrgios, he has had four tour wins in 11 starts.
De Minaur finishes the tournament with a 1-1 record in singles after also losing to Norrie.