Alex de Minaur has grown keen on Britain by means of his relationship with girlfriend Katie Boulter, however is gunning to steer Australia to victory in Davis Cup on Wednesday.
The seemingly match-up between world No.12 de Minaur and British No.1 Cameron Norrie at Manchester’s AO Arena may nicely be essential in figuring out who will get off to the right begin on this week’s group stage.
Born in Sydney, de Minaur has additionally spent a variety of his life in his mom’s dwelling nation of Spain, however his ardour for Australia burns brightly, significantly when Britain are the opponents.
“There’s years and years of history of rivalry between the two nations,” he advised the PA news company.
“With Katie, I’ve got to spend a little bit more time here in the UK and I’ve been able to get to know a couple of the Brits a little bit better.
“We all the time give one another somewhat little bit of crap if our nation wins. It’s all the time an ideal aggressive spirit between us.
“Katie’s shown me around. I’ve found a lot of spots that I quite enjoy so it’s been great, especially when the weather’s good. There’s a lot of similarities with Australia.
“An enormous factor for me is espresso. They love their espresso right here as nicely, the breakfast locations are type of the identical vibe. And one factor that I did not have rising up in Australia or Spain is the countryside. I’ve grown actually keen on the greenery.”
De Minaur is Australia’s ace in the pack and arrives in Manchester in the best form of his career having reached his first ATP Masters final in Canada before making the fourth round of the US Open to climb to the brink of the top 10.
Among the 24-year-old’s victims in Toronto was Norrie, extending his run of victories against British players to eight from the last nine matches.
De Minaur played down the significance of that result, saying: “I believe Davis Cup is totally totally different. Every time we play it has been a battle, even after we practise it goes by some means.
“It’s always going to be a toss up but I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can lift my level and play some good tennis.
“I’ve performed some nice tennis during the last couple of months and I’m actually proud of the place my stage is at. It’s going to be an excellent take a look at this group stage, a variety of superb gamers. Hopefully I can deliver all of it collectively and carry out.”
De Minaur is the highest-ranked player in Manchester but there are decisions to be made for both British captain Leon Smith and Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt over who joins him in the tie.
Norrie has struggled for the past few months and has a patchy Davis Cup record but it would be a surprise if he does not play, with Dan Evans, Andy Murray and 21-year-old Jack Draper also in contention.
Evans is favourite to partner Neal Skupski in doubles, where Australia have former Wimbledon champions in Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.
Purcell could well get the nod to play singles after shooting up the rankings this season from outside the top 200 to 43, while Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis are Hewitt’s other options in the absence of the injured Nick Kyrgios.
The high two groups from the group will transfer on to the finals week in Malaga in November.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
