How the humble meat pie has powered an Australian revolution at the US Open

Chris O’Connell has revealed the secret recipe for Australia’s quiet tennis revolution as he plans to serve up one of the biggest US Open boilovers in New York.

O’Connell will face world number one and reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who will be desperate to secure a spot in a Grand Slam tournament in the second week of the tournament.

The 30-year-old is one of four Australian men in the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 1997, joining leader Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and summer hitting partner Jordan Thompson.

All four come from the capital of New South Wales.

Four other Sydney residents – James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata, Aleksandar Vukic and Max Purcell – were among the 10 Australians who entered the top 100 for the Open for the first time since 1980.

Four Australian men have reached the third round for the first time since 1997, when Pat Rafter won the title

O’Connell credits camaraderie and good old-fashioned Australian meat pie for the stunning resurgence.

“When we had pre-season last year and this year, there were a lot of guys walking around and they were all top 100 players, so we just push each other,” O’Connell said.

‘There’s a great atmosphere.

“Thommo” and I train a bit in Collaroy, so we have a bit of a routine. When we finish our session, we go across the road and there’s a really good cake shop, a really great cake shop.

‘We’ll eat some cake there and then go swimming at Long Reef.

‘I change it all the time, but I like the standard broth best: just steak every Monday.’

Jordan Thompson has also enjoyed the meat pie ritual ahead of the US Open

Thompson also swears by the award-winning store, just around the corner from former Davis Cup captain Wally Masur’s home on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

“That’s definitely the secret, the Upper Crust is just across the road from the tennis courts and then we go down and swim and catch some waves with his brother and Maxi (Purcell),” Thompson said.

“It was just a joke; we can’t wait to get back and finish the season after the US Open.”

Business comes before pleasure, however, as on Saturday (Sunday AEST) Thompson also takes on Italian seed Matteo Arnaldi, the world number 30, for a place in the last 16.

“It’s a great opportunity for both of us, there’s no denying that,” said Thompson, who could earn a showdown with De Minaur in the battle for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals.

Alex de Minaur is the highest ranked Australian in the men’s event and hopes to go deep in the tournament

De Minaur, who is still not 100 percent fit for his first tournament since the hip injury that forced him to miss the Wimbledon quarter-finals, is the favorite to face British veteran Dan Evans in his third round match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

O’Connell will be the big underdog against Sinner at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but defeated the top-seeded team three years ago on a hard court in Atlanta.

Sinner won their last meeting in Miami earlier this year.

“So I’ve seen firsthand the improvements he’s made,” O’Connell said.

‘At the same time I’ve gotten better, but he’s just started playing a lot better.

‘Still super aggressive, a great player with the ball, but I didn’t make as many mistakes in Miami as I did in Atlanta.

“When I went over the top with him in Atlanta, I used my slice a lot. I served really well.

“I know I have to serve really well if I want to have a chance. If you serve well and hold on, it makes life a lot easier.”

AUSSIES IN ACTION ON DAY SIX OF THE US OPEN

Men’s Singles, Third Round

Chris O’Connell v 1-Jannik Sinner (ITA) – 04:00am Sunday AEST

Jordan Thompson v 30-Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) – 7:00am Sunday AEST

10-Alex de Minaur v Dan Evans (ENG) – 9am Sunday AEST