There’s no such factor as a meaningless match for Alex de Minaur.
The Australian registered his first-ever win over 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal on the United Cup, downing the Spaniard 3-6 6-1 7-5.
While not on the largest stage – the conflict was a part of a lifeless tie with Great Britain already progressing to the following spherical of the competitors – it’s nonetheless probably the greatest of the 23-year-old’s profession.
Until Monday night time in Sydney, de Minaur had by no means overwhelmed a participant ranked No.1 or No.2 on the earth – now he has overwhelmed arguably the perfect of all-time.
“It’s a big win for myself, one that I really needed. I’m gonna cherish and use, take all the confidence from this and be able to hopefully take it to have a good Aussie summer,” de Minaur mentioned.
World No.2 Nadal began inauspiciously, taking place an early break, solely to reel off 4 straight video games to grab the primary set.
That momentum continued with one other break to start out the second set, just for the Sydney native to supply a few of his personal trademark grit and storm by the following six video games.
The decider was a combined bag – de Minaur’s foot pace and talent to tear out winners from defensive positions in opposition to the brute drive and expertise of Nadal.
The pair traded breaks halfway by the set earlier than an error-strewn eleventh sport from Nadal noticed de Minaur serve for the match.
There’d be no extra drama because the Australian served it out to like to say the win.
“I did basically what I’ve always wanted to do, serve cannons and not have to play too many long points when you serve it out,” de Minaur mentioned.
“I was very happy with myself there.
After a patchy back half of 2022 and a surprise loss to Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Spain’s opening tie, there have been questions being raised about Nadal’s form and motivation as he heads into the twilight of his career.
Since pulling out of the Wimbledon semi-final of 2022 against Nick Kyrgios he has had four wins on tour from 11 starts.
“I need hours on court; I need battles like this,” the Melbourne Park defending champion mentioned.
“I have two weeks before the Australian Open starts. I can’t say that the situation is ideal, but at the same time, I can’t say that it’s very negative, because for moments, I was playing good.
“I think that two matches is gonna help me. I need to win a couple of matches.”
De Minaur finishes the event with a 1-1 singles report after additionally falling to Norrie.
In the second match of the night time, Nuria Parrizas Dias was too good for Maddison Inglis, her 6-1 6-3 win locking up the tie at a rubber apiece.
