Alex de Minaur has kicked off his US Open campaign with a decisive victory over fellow Australian Chris O’Connell, marking a strong start in his pursuit of consecutive quarterfinal appearances in New York. De Minaur, Australia’s top-ranked player, showcased his dominance by not facing a single break point during his 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 win, completed in just under two hours.
The eighth seed broke O’Connell in the opening game of the final set, and despite O’Connell’s efforts to fend off six additional break points, de Minaur maintained control without overexerting himself. O’Connell, who entered the match with an oblique injury, struggled to match de Minaur’s pace. “It’s never easy playing a fellow Aussie, a fellow mate,” de Minaur remarked, looking ahead to his next match against Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki, ranked 112th in the world.
De Minaur’s Quest for Consistency
De Minaur’s victory sets the stage for a potential repeat of last year’s success, where he reached the quarterfinals. Achieving this milestone again would mark the first time in his career that he has reached the quarterfinals in back-to-back years at any major tournament. Off the court, de Minaur enjoyed a slice of home at Old Mates Pub in Manhattan, indulging in Australian delicacies like sausage rolls and meat pies. “There’s nothing like Australian pies,” he shared with a smile.
Popyrin’s Promising Start and Unique Preparations
Meanwhile, Alexei Popyrin is also making waves at the US Open. His first-round victory over Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(7/3), was marked by 10 aces and 44 winners. Popyrin’s performance sets up a challenging second-round encounter with world number one Jannik Sinner. Despite the daunting task, Popyrin remains unfazed, drawing confidence from his previous victory over Sinner at the Madrid Masters in 2021.
“If you want to win these tournaments, you have to beat one of these players at some point,” Popyrin stated. “I know my game, I know how I can play and I know the trouble I can cause.”
Popyrin’s unique approach to handling the pressures of professional tennis includes turning to science-fiction books and music by Ed Sheeran as a form of therapy. This unconventional strategy has helped him manage the burnout that often accompanies the demanding tennis circuit.
Maya Joint’s Breakthrough and Rising Star
In women’s singles, Maya Joint celebrated her first major win of 2025, defeating Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva 6-4, 7-6(8/6). Joint’s victory is a significant milestone in a year marked by her first two WTA titles on clay in Morocco and grass at Eastbourne. Despite early exits in the other three majors this year, the 19-year-old has climbed the rankings dramatically, starting 2024 as world number 684.
Joint’s triumph over Kasintseva was a testament to her resilience, as she overcame set points in a tense second set. Her next challenge is against eighth-seeded American Amanda Anisimova, a rematch that offers Joint the chance to avenge her compatriot Kim Birrell’s earlier defeat.
Ajla Tomljanović, Joint’s Billie Jean King Cup teammate, commented, “There is no ceiling on what she might achieve.”
Other Australian Highlights
Tristan Schoolkate joined the ranks of successful Australians in the second round after a grueling four-hour-and-18-minute battle against Lorenzo Sonego. Schoolkate’s victory was hard-fought, as he regained composure in a decisive fifth-set tiebreak to secure a 6-3, 7-6(10/8), 1-6, 1-6, 7-6(10/8) win.
Additionally, Ajla Tomljanović is set to face third seed Coco Gauff on Arthur Ashe Stadium, aiming to add her name to the list of Australian winners at this year’s tournament.
The US Open continues to be a platform for Australian tennis stars to shine, with de Minaur, Popyrin, and Joint leading the charge. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on these athletes as they strive to make their mark on the grand stage.
