Alex De Minaur has concluded his Australian Open preparation with a comeback win over France’s Ugo Humbert in the ATP Cup.
The two young guns squared off at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena on Thursday night, Humbert looking unbeatable throughout the first set and parts of the second with his seemingly effortless power.
Ugo Humbert was exceptional in that first set and takes it 6-3. Alex de Minaur will need to dig deep here. 🙏
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 6, 2022
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“Ugo was playing some unbelievable tennis. He’s a very high-level player,” De Minaur admitted post-match.
“I just had to stick in there, keep pushing myself and get the crowd going.”
‘The Demon’ was able to win crucial points in the second set to drag himself into a tiebreaker, which he rushed through to win 7-2.
We're headed a decider! 🇦🇺👊
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 6, 2022
Alex de Minaur DOMINATES the tiebreaker in the second set and we'll play a third!
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It was plain sailing from there, De Minaur dropping just one point on serve for the entire third set as he capped off his tournament with a 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 victory.
The 22-year-old lost to World Number 2 Daniil Medvedev earlier this week, however his win over Humbert is more impressive considering the Frenchman knocked off Medvedev in three sets on Sunday.
❌ "Never count this man out." ❌
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 6, 2022
Alex de Minaur CRUISES through the third set and closes out the comeback win in STYLE! 🔥
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Watch: @9Gem
Stream: https://t.co/t5tcUY1Zx5#9WWOS #Tennis #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/iD2QeJaxgL
It ends Australia’s ATP Cup campaign, failing to make it to the semi-finals.
While De Minaur is disappointed for the team, he believes the tournament has him in the best form of his young career.
“It's (the ATP Cup) a special event, we played some great tennis but it didn't go our way,” he said.
“I'm feeling great, playing some great tennis, feeling in the best shape of my career.
“I'll see what I can do, head to Melbourne and hopefully put on a show.”
The Australian Open begins in 10 days on January 17, with the draw to be completed on Monday.