Alex de Minaur navigated a challenging start in his match against Arthur Cazaux, eventually securing a place in the third round of Wimbledon with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. Initially faltering, the 11th seed found his footing in the latter sets, yielding just six games while delivering a decisive bagel in the fourth set.
Commenting on de Minaur’s performance, Australian tennis legend Jelena Dokic highlighted his mental resilience and ability to adapt tactically. “I appreciated his calmness and how he didn’t lose focus after the first set,” she noted during her commentary on Nine’s coverage. “His ability to regroup and play himself into the match is a great sign as he heads into the next round.”
Cazaux, ranked 115th globally, surprised many by taking the first set 6-4, largely capitalising on de Minaur’s early errors. The Australian made 14 unforced mistakes compared to Cazaux’s seven in the opening games, allowing the Frenchman to seize the set with a break in the ninth game.
Dokic remarked on the unusual number of errors from de Minaur, saying, “It’s quite rare for him to struggle like this at the start.” However, a brief intermission before the second set allowed de Minaur to reset, and he quickly turned the tide. Cazaux’s powerful forehand became a liability, as he struggled to maintain control on shorter balls, which de Minaur deftly exploited.
With an improved first-serve percentage, de Minaur clinched the second set comfortably at 6-2 in just 33 minutes. The momentum continued into the third set, which remained tightly contested until Cazaux suffered a double fault at a crucial break point. De Minaur capitalised on the error, winning the third set 6-4 and celebrating with a roar to the crowd.
Despite taking a break after the third set for Cazaux to use the restroom, de Minaur kept his focus and swiftly concluded the match, clinching victory in the fourth set. He will face the winner of the match between Danish qualifier August Holmgren and Czech player Tomas Machac in the next round, as he aims for a potential showdown with Novak Djokovic, provided both players advance further in the tournament.