For Alex de Minaur, another Grand Slam has come to an end at the quarterfinal stage.
The Australian has now lost in six quarterfinal matches in the four major tournaments, and this one is perhaps the most frustrating of the bunch.
De Minaur won the first set against Felix Auger-Aliassime and also served for sets two and four, but succumbed to a cruel defeat at the last eight stage once again.
The balls and conditions have been questioned by De Minaur at this year’s US Open, but he had no complaints with either of those things here.
De Minaur has been told how he can win a Grand Slam before this tournament, but after this heartbreaking defeat, he might be starting to wonder whether he will ever get over the line.
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Alex de Minaur told where he went wrong by Tim Henman
Henman was covering the game for Sky Sports and afterwards, he criticised the performance by De Minaur against Auger-Aliassime.
The Aussie will once again have to go back to the drawing board and come back next year looking once again to get beyond the last eight of a major tournament.
Henman said live on Sky Sports: “At the other side of the court, the serving numbers of De Minaur, I know it’s not one of his strengths. But 42% (first serves in) is giving Auger-Aliassime way too many looks at second serves. 11 double faults is a lot.
“It’s going to be one where De Minaur is going to go back to the drawing board. He will realise that playing Auger-Aliassime in a quarterfinal was a huge opportunity to get through to his semifinal, but not to be.”
Mark Woodforde discusses Alex de Minaur concerns
Woodforde is one of the best Australian players of all time and won 12 Grand Slam titles playing doubles.
He was quizzed afterwards over whether there was a mental barrier for De Minaur to overcome if he’s to start troubling the big players at major tournaments.
Woodforde said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I haven’t felt like Alex has stumbled at this juncture up until today. It was packed with nerves, It wasn’t the best quality, I think it did have some, the way that the match played out, it tested their nerves, and the prospect, I think yes, was looming large for Alex.
“He was close, in the previous matches, I don’t think the nerves have played as much as it did today.”
It’s no surprise that De Minaur felt nervous against Auger-Aliassime given that the Canadian player is currently ranked number 27 in the world.
This was a big chance for the Australian and once again he’s fallen short with the biggest win of his career at a Grand Slam firmly within his grasp.
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