Alex de Minaur - once again Australia's final singles hope across the draws - suffered a straight sets defeat in the fourth round of Indian Wells.
Facing in-form Argentine Francisco Cerundolo, de Minaur came out with a different intensity to the one we had seen in his third-round rout of Hubert Hurkacz.
By entering the code TFS2025 you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at www.racquetworld.com.au
Yet, the Aussie still managed to create a set point at 4-5 in the first set, and was millimetres from winning it; a moment which swung the momentum of the match.
"That set point in the first, I got a little bit unlucky with him hitting a shank onto the very back of the line. Then it kind of just slipped away," de Minaur told the media.
From that point on, Stadium 2 saw far from the best version of 'Demon', as he suffered a 7-5 6-3 defeat.
“Overall just not a good match from my side,” he admitted.
"Normally, I pride myself on the way I bounce back...today probably wasn’t my best performance in that regard.
"I kept putting myself back into positions where the match was tied, but I just kept on giving it away afterwards."
It’s the fourth time in five years that de Minaur has exited at this stage of Indian Wells, where he remains yet to reach the last eight.
“Over the years, it obviously hasn’t been my best tournament in terms of results. Every time I come here, I do what I can to adapt and just hope that my game will be there.
"Ultimately, what's happened in previous years and this year is when push comes to shove, my top level is just hard for me to find it out here."
De Minaur will now head to Miami for the second Masters 1000 event of the 'sunshine double'; his last hardcourt event before commencing the clay season.
In Indian Wells doubles action, Australian J.P Smith, and Brazillian partner Fernando Romboli, came through a tight clash with Yuki Bhambri / Andre Goransson, taking it 7-6(5) 3-6 [10-8].
For J.P, it is a maiden Masters 1000 semi-final and a significant moment for the 36-year-old.
Joining him in the semifinals from an Australian perspective is Jordan Thompson, who, alongside Sebastian Korda, recorded a 6-4 6-4 victory into the windy Wednesday evening.
So, one Aussie will be heading to a Masters 1000 final, and we wait until Friday to determine who that will be.
EPC Sports delivers cutting-edge tools for junior tennis players, fostering participation, clear development pathways, and reducing admin time and costs. Discover more at epcsports.au.
Comments