Mon Jan 20 09:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Aussie De Minaur Crushes Rival, Eyes Australian Open Quarterfinals

**Melbourne, Australia** – Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8, is showing his steely side at the Australian Open, avenging a previous defeat with a dominant victory over Alex Michelsen. Eight months ago, a fatigued de Minaur suffered a humiliating 6-4, 6-1 loss to Michelsen in Acapulco. However, at Roland Garros, de Minaur delivered a resounding 6-1, 6-2 victory, a stark contrast to his earlier performance. De Minaur attributed the Acapulco loss to a quick turnaround and climate change after a grueling week in Europe.

Now, the pair meet again in Melbourne for a coveted quarterfinal spot. Despite Michelsen’s recent impressive wins over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov, de Minaur remains cautious, acknowledging Michelsen’s power game and improved confidence. “He’s a dangerous opponent,” de Minaur stated, emphasizing the need for a strong performance.

This isn’t de Minaur’s first experience with seeking revenge. Three years ago, he was heavily defeated by Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, a match perceived as retribution for de Minaur’s comments regarding vaccine mandates. However, Djokovic now considers de Minaur a rising star, praising his improved serve and offensive capabilities.

De Minaur’s recent performance against Francisco Cerundolo showed his ability to overcome adversity, battling through a challenging match to secure a win, though he admitted to feeling pressure playing at home for the first time. He attributed this pressure as the reason he struggled in the match, but ultimately, he is happy he won.

Meanwhile, other notable Australian junior players made an impact. Emerson Jones, after a tough loss to Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina earlier in the week, secured a win in the girls’ singles, gaining valuable experience from the encounter. Cruz Hewitt, son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, also achieved a first-round victory, adding another positive story to the Australian Open. Veteran Gael Monfils pulled off a stunning upset against Taylor Fritz, adding another exciting chapter to his impressive career, celebrating his win with a now-viral on-court dance. Monfils, despite his accomplishments, highlighted his focus on family rather than winning the tournament.

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