Alex de Minaur showcased a remarkable defensive performance to reach the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open, overcoming seventh-seeded Frances Tiafoe in a tightly contested three-set match. The Australian triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, taking just under two and a half hours to secure his place in the final eight.
In a standout performance, De Minaur initially took control with a set and a break lead. However, Tiafoe mounted a strong comeback in the second set. With the match hanging in the balance at 4-4 in the deciding set, De Minaur elevated his play to exceptional levels. He executed a series of athletic retrieves against Tiafoe’s powerful forehands, sprinting across the court to maintain pressure and ultimately forcing Tiafoe into a crucial error. This pivotal moment seemed to rattle Tiafoe, allowing De Minaur to break serve and subsequently serve out the match.
Reflecting on his victory, De Minaur acknowledged the challenge posed by Tiafoe, noting his opponent’s capability to change momentum at any time. “I battled him, myself, and the conditions, and I am happy to sneak away with a win today,” he said.
This victory also adds a milestone to De Minaur’s record, as it marks his 212th hard-court win, tying him with Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter for the second-most hard-court victories by an Australian man in the Open era; Lleyton Hewitt holds the record with 372. Should De Minaur continue his strong performance and win the tournament in Toronto, he would surpass Novak Djokovic for a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 6.
In the quarter-finals, De Minaur is set to face fourth seed Ben Shelton, which will be their first encounter. His current form is promising, having recently won his tenth career title at the ATP 500 event in Washington—his first title in over a year. Currently on an eight-match winning streak, De Minaur is also in pursuit of a record-breaking season for tour-level match wins.