De Minaur continues Wimbledon run
Alex De Minaur has upset the highly-rated Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach his third junior Grand Slam semifinal in the past year.
London, UK, 8 July 2016 | Matt Trollope
Alex De Minaur has upset Roland Garros junior finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach the boys’ singles semifinals at Wimbledon.
Playing at his favourite tournament on his favourite surface, De Minaur recovered from a set and a break down to beat the No.3 seed 5-7 7-6(5) 6-2 in a touch over two hours.
“It’s an incredible feeling. He’s such a good player, such a good competitor,” De Minaur said, after advancing to a final-four meeting with American second seed Ulises Blanch.
“It was always going to be tough; we always have tough matches. Before this match I hadn’t beaten him before but I’d been one point away, so it’s good to finally get the win over him.”
Indeed, in two prior meetings – both in 2015 – De Minaur and Auger-Aliassime contested thrilling three-setters, with the Canadian coming out on top of a 6-3 6-7(6) 7-6(3) win at the Eddie Herr tournament on clay.
Yet in their first meeting on grass, De Miinaur was the more solid and ultimately superior, withstanding eight aces and 33 winners from his opponent while keeping his unforced errors to a tidy tally of 19 (versus 40).
“I’d rather win comfortably but it’s a great feeling to actually know that I can push myself to those limits,” the 17-year-old Aussie said.
“Doesn’t matter what the score is, I’m just going to keep fighting and not give up. And that helped me out today to turn it around and get the win.”
De Minaur also remains alive in the boys’ doubles event with compatriot Blake Ellis.
Not only does he feel that’s helped his singles game this fortnight at the All England Club, but it’s given him something to focus on to prevent his mind wandering too far ahead.
“(Playing doubles) also helps you with reflex volleys, serves, returns. You can always take positives out of everything and doubles has helped me get into form and be playing as good as I am right now,” he said.
“It would be a dream come true (to win Wimbledon). It’s always been my favourite tournament, the tournament I look forward to the most. I wouldn’t really be able to put it into words if I got to win.
“But right now I’m must thinking about my match tomorrow. I’ve got my doubles now, so that’s the No.1 priority.”