Alex de Minaur defeats Jordan Thompson at US Open | ATP Tour

Match Report

De Minaur sinks Thompson to reach 3rd straight Grand Slam QF

Australian next plays Draper

September 03, 2024

Alex de Minaur reached his third consecutive major quarter-final on Monday at the US Open, where he overcame fellow Australian Jordan Thompson 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 under the lights in New York.

The 10th seed raced out of the blocks to take command early and showed great foot speed throughout on Louis Armstrong, tracking down drop volleys and flat Thompson groundstrokes to reach the last eight after two hours and 57 minutes.

“I’ve got so much respect for Thommo. We’ve grown up together and he’s been like a big brother to me,” De Minaur said. “I really appreciate everything he’s done for me. He’s a helluva competitor, my Davis Cup teammate and I can’t wait to share the court many, many times with him.”

With his 40th tour-level win of the year, De Minaur passed Novak Djokovic in seventh place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive year, reaching the last eight at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while winning titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He is aiming to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.

“It’s just the mentality,” De Minaur said of his consistent success this year. “Having a positive mindset no matter what , trying to win every point and as always compete my heart out.”

Playing his first tournament since Wimbledon, where a hip injuring forced his withdrawal ahead of a quarter-final with Novak Djokovic, De Minaur will meet British lefty Jack Draper in the last eight.

De Minaur takes a 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead into the clash, with both men aiming to reach the semi-finals at a major for the first time. De Minaur also advanced to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2020 when he lost to eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

De Minaur started fast against Thompson, who hit one winner and 12 unforced errors in a nervy first set. The Australian was consistent from the baseline to lead but had to withstand an attacking second-set showing from Thompson. The 30-year-old started to move forward more frequently, winning 71 per cent (12/17) of net points in the set to apply pressure on De Minaur.

The 10th seed reacted well in the third set, winning 93 per cent (14/15) of his first-serve points and gaining the decisive break of the set in the sixth game and then survived a rollercoaster fourth set, which featured five service breaks, after rallying from 1-3. De Minaur had an edge in the key stats categories, winning 56 per cent of second serves to Thompson’s 43 per cent and making less than half (26 to 59) of his opponent’s unforced errors.

Thompson was aiming to reach the last eight at a major for the first time. The 30-year-old leaves New York at No. 29 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.