Alex de Minaur continued his red-hot run of type by defeating world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz in a extremely entertaining Australian Open charity match on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday evening.
Both gamers introduced their A-game to the two-hour lengthy exhibition – a part of AO Opening Week, offered by the Herald Sun – with the Aussie world No.10 prevailing over his Spanish opponent 6-4, 5-7 (10-3).
“I’m extremely happy,” de Minaur stated on-court after the match. “2024 has been very good to me, hopefully I can keep it going. I’m pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky’s the limit.”
De Minaur defeated Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in United Cup matches final week, in a promising lead as much as the Open.
A near-full Rod Laver Arena – that includes Lleyton Hewitt in de Minaur’s nook – bought behind each gamers to create an electrical ambiance.
The younger weapons participated in lighthearted on-court interviews and interacted with the group between service video games, however used all their weapons throughout play to generate a high-quality match.
De Minaur stated the occasion was “a great way to prepare for the Australian Open” and help a “great charity”.
Ten-time Open champion Djokovic will host a bumper Thursday evening exhibition on Rod Laver Arena as AO Opening Week continues.
He’ll be joined by fellow 2023 defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, Greek stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, and big-name gamers from different sports activities who’re but to be revealed.
Most tickets to the charity match – and one other scheduled for Friday evening that includes Alcaraz and Casper Ruud – price simply $20 and proceeds go in the direction of kids’s charities by way of the Australian Tennis Foundation.
Millman wins first Australian Open qualifier
John Millman saved his dream of taking part in in a ultimate Australian Open alive on Wednesday, by overcoming Italian Alessandro Giannessi 6-3, 6-4 within the first spherical of qualifying, as a loud crowd watched on.
The Aussie fan favorite will retire after the Australian Open, and now wants two extra qualifying wins to make the principle draw.
“I’m not an emotional guy, but prior to going out for that one, I was a little bit,” the 34-year-old stated.
“I’ve been doing this since I finished high school and I’ve been living out a dream that I had as a kid. Nothing can really prepare you (for what could be your final match).
“The crowd was awesome – for a qualifying match, it was nearly full. I’m so grateful for the support I have here year in year out.”
Millman is because of face Alex Molcan of Slovakia within the second spherical of qualifying on Thursday, rounding out a triple-header of Aussie qualies on Court 3 alongside 19-year-old Talia Gibson and Melbourne-based Storm Hunter.
Hunter – just lately topped the world No.1 doubles participant – praised the brand new Opening Week idea for bringing extra followers to qualifying matches.
“I’ve played qualies for many, many years and I haven’t seen a crowd like we got out here today,” she stated after her round-one win on Wednesday.
”It’s been so loud and a lot enjoyable.”
Melbourne’s Omar Jastika and Destanee Aiava can even proceed their quest to qualify for the Australian Open on Thursday, together with youngsters Maya Joint, Melisa Ercan and Edward Winter.
Kyrgios locks in Rod Laver match-up with Djokovic
Despite having to withdraw from the Australian Open resulting from harm, Nick Kyrgios will nonetheless meet Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena – to document a podcast.
Kyrgios will interview the world No.1 for a dwell episode of his new podcast, Good Trouble, following a charity match being staged on Thursday evening.
The 28-year-old can even chat to gamers participating in open apply periods on centre courtroom on Friday afternoon – which followers can entry with an Opening Week floor move, costing $10 for adults and $5 for youths.
And he’ll present commentary on the Australian Open draw – going down from 1pm on Thursday at Melbourne Park and broadcast on AO YouTube – in a warm-up for his upcoming commentary function with Eurosport all through the principle event.
The former Wimbledon finalist’s podcast will premiere on January 24, with fellow tennis gamers Naomi Osaka and Frances Tiafoe, movie star chef Gordon Ramsay and boxer Mike Tyson among the many confirmed visitors.
“I can’t wait for the release of my new series,” Kyrgios stated.
“It’s been tough for me to sit out the last year or so, dealing with an injury, but I’ve had a lot of fun commentating and developing my own talk show.
“We’ve got an all-star line-up of guests for season one and I can’t wait for everyone to check it out.”
Kyrgios has collaborated with Hana Kuma, the manufacturing firm co-founded by Naomi Osaka and her longtime agent, Stuart Duguid, to create Good Trouble.
Tennis Australia chief content material officer Darren Pearce stated the organisation supported the venture, stating: “Developing new audiences, promoting new platforms and finding new voices in tennis is crucial to the ongoing success of the sport. Nick does all of that naturally.
“We have a focus on innovation and are prepared to push boundaries, where we can, in what is still a pretty traditional sport. Nick brings the edge, whether it’s on or off the court. He excites new audiences and creates more interest in the game.”
Serious knee and wrist accidents have saved the previous world No.13 off the courtroom for greater than a 12 months.
Other Opening Week perks embrace entry to Australian Open qualifying matches, public apply periods with the world’s finest gamers, tennis racquet giveaways for youths, the prospect to see participant interviews dwell within the Fan Zone and early entry to pick out Australian Open meals retailers.
The Australian Open major draw begins on January 14.
ausopen.com
Originally printed as Alex de Minaur defeats Carlos Alcaraz in AO Opening Week charity match
Source: www.news.com.au
