Alex de Minaur is among 25 Aussies scheduled to compete on day eight at Australian Open 2024.
Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Alex de Minaur has scored three top-10 wins already this season. Can he claim a fourth this evening?
That’s the big question as the Aussie favourite prepares for a fourth-round showdown with world No.5 Andrey Rublev at Rod Laver Arena.
The 24-year-old is hoping to progress to a first quarterfinal at his home Grand Slam.
“I’ve made a couple fourth rounds in the past. I maybe have gotten to that point and not played the type of match I wanted to,” De Minaur said. “I’m hoping I can break that barrier and go one further.”
World No.10 De Minaur has won three of his past five meetings against Rublev, however lost their most recent clash in November last year.
“He’s got some immense firepower and his forehand is deadly,” De Minaur noted.
“It’s basically do your best to not allow him to hit forehands, especially from the middle of the court. That will probably be the game plan.”
De Minaur is among 25 Aussies scheduled to compete across an exciting day eight schedule at Australian Open 2024.
World No.1 Storm Hunter features in women’s and mixed doubles matches, while the son of former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz, makes his Grand Slam debut in the boys’ singles competition.
Long-time Aussie favourites Mark Philippoussis, Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua are also back on court, competing in the legends’ doubles event.
> BUY NOW: Australian Open 2024 tickets
For those who can’t make it to Melbourne Park, the tournament is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network and Stan Sport. Play begins from 11am AEDT.
Aussies in action on day eight:
Men’s singles, fourth round
[10] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [5] Andrey Rublev, Rod Laver Arena, night session, first match (from 7pm AEDT)
Women’s doubles, third round
[3] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Katerina Siniakova (CZE) v Ekaterina Alexandrova/Anna Kalinskaya, Kia Arena, third match
Mixed doubles, first round
[1] Storm Hunter (AUS)/Matt Ebden (AUS) v Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR)/Mate Pavic (CRO), Kia Arena, fifth match
Mixed doubles, second round
[WC] Olivia Gadecki (AUS)/Marc Polmans (AUS) v Aldila Sutjiadi (INA)/Michael Venus (NZL), Rod Laver Arena, night session, second match
Legends’ doubles, round-robin
Casey Dellacqua (AUS)/Alicia Molik (AUS) v Daniela Hantuchova (SVK)/Li Na (CHN), Margaret Court Arena, first…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Tennis.com.au – Tennis Australia…