Often the phrase ‘Demon’ in a sports activities stay weblog of this masthead would seek advice from a sure Melbourne membership who, as of late, bundles out of essential matches/finals in straight units, however not tonight!
Tonight, and hopefully over the subsequent two weeks, it’s all about Alex de Minuar, the Aussie hopeful who swung his racket into the world No.10 this yr.
And we’re solely two weeks in. So, not dangerous for ticking off the 2024 targets early.
However he’s bought a mountain to climb now.
Alex de Minaur is ranked on the planet males’s high 10 forward of the Australian Open.Credit score: Getty Pictures
You’ll be able to really feel the anticipation brewing throughout Melbourne Park as followers gear as much as cheer the house grown expertise on in his first spherical match towards Milos Raonic at Rod Laver Enviornment.
De Minaur has overwhelmed 9 top-10 rivals, together with world No.1 Novak Djokovic, because the begin of final yr and is a authentic menace to the world’s greatest. However that doesn’t imply he’s going to breeze by way of tonight.
Raonic is a former world No.3, now at a lowly 317th, however has a a protected rating of 33 (an allowance inside the ATP for a participant who has suffered long-term damage). He additionally, in keeping with de Minaur, has among the best serves on tour.
So, given all this, how we feeling about tonight’s match? Inform us within the feedback!