Alex de Minaur demonstrated resilience at Roland Garros, overcoming both blisters and challenging weather to secure a straight-sets victory against Serbian player Laslo Djere, winning 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6). This win marks de Minaur’s 20th consecutive triumph in Grand Slam matches against opponents ranked outside the top 30.
The match intensified in the final set, with Djere leading 5-2 before failing to convert on two set points while serving at 5-4 and struggling again at 6-4 in the tiebreak. Despite these setbacks, de Minaur showcased his determination, ultimately taking the match after fighting off four set points.
Post-match, de Minaur reflected on the difficult playing conditions, stating that both his opponent and the weather significantly impacted the match. He acknowledged that, while the game wasn’t as smooth as he hoped, he managed to secure the win through perseverance.
During his victory speech, de Minaur addressed his foot blisters, which had been a point of concern when cameras focused on his feet during a medical timeout. He joked about it, saying, “I’m sorry for everyone who had to see that. That’s not a pretty sight.” However, he reassured fans that it was nothing serious, explaining that it stemmed from a taped toe rubbing against his skin.
De Minaur expressed comfort with his performance on clay, noting improvements in his movement and ability to construct points effectively. He acknowledged the need to enhance certain aspects of his game, particularly the weight and spin of his shots, crucial for success on such surfaces.
Looking ahead, he is set to face Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, who has proven to be an unpredictable opponent after defeating Australia’s James Duckworth. Additionally, Australian Adam Walton advanced to the next round following a demanding five-set match against Maximillian Marterer, bringing the total number of Australians progressing past the first round to five.
As other Australian players gear up for their matches, de Minaur’s focus remains on refining his game while embracing the challenges of competing on clay. Alexei Popyrin and Ajla Tomljanovic have upcoming matches that fans are eager to watch.