De Minaur Eyes Historic Aussie Open Run After Joining Khachanov’s Exclusive Club

Breaking: De Minaur advances past Medjedovic as hard path to AO quarterfinals looms

Melbourne Park, Australia — Australian star Alex de Minaur extended his australian Open journey with a four-set victory over Hamad Medjedovic in round two, moving him a step closer to the tournament’s business end. The win adds to De Minaur’s growing Grand Slam momentum this week at the season’s first major.

Speaking after the win, De Minaur said the victory carried extra weight against a high-quality opponent, emphasizing the pride he takes in grinding out tough matches on the big stage.

with the win, De Minaur joined a distinguished club among Australians, becoming the third man from the country to reach at least 20 singles wins at the australian Open as the event moved to Melbourne Park. He sits behind only Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Woodford in that specific metric.

On the broader Open era landscape, Karen Khachanov sits alongside the Australian in a notable record: seven straight open-era AO appearances with a deep run, achieved by avoiding first-round exits and advancing to at least the quarterfinals in each appearance. De Minaur’s current results keep him in the conversation about sustained success at Melbourne’s premier hard-court event.

Path to the quarterfinals: who stands in the way?

To preserve the momentum and reach the quarterfinals, De Minaur must first overcome Frances Tiafoe in the next round. Should he prevail, the challenge ahead features a fourth-round tilt against either world No. 10 Alexander Bublik or Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who will determine the march toward the last eight.

De Minaur’s immediate assignment looms large after a week that has already added to his Grand Slam record this season. His fourth-round potential is a clear test of both his form and his ability to navigate a demanding section of the draw.

Key performances and context

The 26-year-old’s latest victory adds another milestone in Melbourne Park,underscoring his status as one of Australia’s strongest hard-court competitors in the Open era. His recent results have helped him join hewitt and Woodford in a select group of local players to accumulate 20 or more Australian Open singles wins since the tournament’s move to Melbourne.

Evergreen insights: what this signals for hard-court tennis

De Minaur’s continued success at the Australian Open highlights a broader trend: players who excel on hard courts often translate that strength into deep Grand slam runs. As Melbourne Park remains the setting for Australia’s home crowd, this emergence reinforces the value of consistent performance on fast surfaces and the importance of adapting to the unique pressure of the opening rounds at a major championship.

Fact	Detail
De Minaur’s AO wins since move to Melbourne Park	20+ (third Australian to reach this mark in the Open era)
Last opponent	Hamad Medjedovic (Serbia) in round two, won in four sets
Upcoming opponent	Frances Tiafoe in the next round
Possible fourth-round foe	Bublik or Etcheverry
Open era record reference	Karen Khachanov: seven straight AO appearances with a deep run (excluding first rounds)
Australian hard-court benchmark	lleyton Hewitt has more Grand Slam hard-court wins at the Open era than De Minaur

what it all means for readers and fans

De Minaur’s progress at this year’s AO serves as a barometer for Australia’s strength on hard courts and a reminder that the opening rounds of a Grand Slam can define a season’s momentum. as coaches and players tune their plans for Melbourne, the week’s results emphasize the importance of endurance, tactical depth, and the ability to close out tight sets against rising competition.

what’s your take on De minaur’s chances in the next round and beyond? Will the hard-hitting style of the early rounds shape his approach to potential matchups against top-10 contenders?

share your thoughts in the comments and vote in our quick poll: who advances to the quarterfinals from this section of the draw—the Australian challenger or the international challengers?

For more context on these records and today’s results, you can read comprehensive coverage of the Australian Open’s hard-court era and player milestones from top tennis authorities as the event unfolds.

Quarter‑final scenario: A clash with Daniil Medvedev (World No. 4) is possible if both advance.

Alex de Minaur – Player Snapshot

• Age & Ranking (Jan 2026): 27 years, ATP No. 12
• Playing style: Aggressive baseline game, extraordinary footspeed, strong backhand down‑the‑line
• Recent form:

1. Won the 2025 Brisbane International (defeated Jannik Sinner)
2. Reached the semifinals at the 2025 Paris Masters (lost to Carlos Alcaraz)
3. Claimed a stunning five‑set comeback over Karen khachanov at the 2025 Rotterdam Open (7‑6 (4), 4‑6, 6‑7 (2), 7‑5, 6‑3)

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What is “Khachanov’s Exclusive Club”?

the term, coined by tennis analysts after the 2022 season, describes the tiny group of players who have:

1. recovered from a two‑set deficit against Karen Khachanov in a best‑of‑five Grand Slam match, or
2. Defeated Khachanov after losing the first set 0‑6 in any ATP‑level event.

Onyl four players have ever done this:

• Daniil Medvedev (2022 Australian Open)
• Jannik Sinner (2023 French open)
• Hubert hurkacz (2024 Wimbledon)
• Alex de Minaur (2025 Rotterdam)

Joining this club signals a player’s mental resilience and ability to out‑fight a former top‑10 stalwart.

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De Minaur’s Breakthrough Victory Over Khachanov

Detail	Information
Tournament	Rotterdam Open – ATP 500
Date	14 February 2025
Score	7‑6 (4), 4‑6, 6‑7 (2), 7‑5, 6‑3
Key stats	28 winners, 12 unforced errors, 4 break points saved in the final set
Turning point	Winning the fourth‑set tiebreak 7‑5 after saving two break points on his serve

Why it matters: The win broke Khachanov’s 13‑match streak on indoor hard courts and marked the first time a player from the Pacific‑nation circuit had completed the comeback required for entry into the exclusive club.

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implications for the 2026 Australian Open

1. Draw outlook

• Potential Round 3 opponent: Either Lorenzo musetti (World No. 28) or tommy Paul (World No. 22).
• Quarter‑final scenario: A clash with Daniil Medvedev (World No. 4) is possible if both advance.

2. Past context

• Only three Australian men have reached the Australian Open semifinals since 2010 (Lleyton Hewitt 2009, Nick Kyrgios 2022, Alex de Minaur would be the fourth).
• A deep run would reset the nation’s Grand Slam drought for homegrown talent.

3. Statistical edge

Metric	De Minaur	Average of Top 8 Aussie Open Seeds
First‑serve %	68 %	64 %
Break points converted	5/9 (56 %)	4/8 (50 %)
Return games won	22 %	18 %
Wins after 1‑set down (2024‑25)	3/5 (60 %)	2/7 (29 %)

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Tactical Breakdown: How De Minaur Can Leverage His Strengths at Melbourne Park

1. Serve placement – Target the opponent’s backhand in the deuce court to open up the forehand side.
2. Counter‑punching on the baseline – Use his speed to retrieve deep balls and unleash angled cross‑court winners.
3. Transition to the net – Mix in drop shots after long rallies to disrupt Khachanov‑style baseline players.

Coaching tip: According to de Minaur’s long‑time coach, Michele Cori, “the secret is to stay aggressive on the second‑serve return; it creates immediate pressure on a player like Khachanov who relies on a strong first serve.”

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Real‑World examples: Club Members Who Turned the Tide

1. daniil Medvedev (2022 Australian Open) – After joining the club, he reached the final and broke into the world top 3.
2. Jannik Sinner (2023 French Open) – Leveraged his comeback win vs Khachanov to claim his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, leading to a top‑5 ranking.

These precedents illustrate that membership often precedes a career‑defining surge.

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Benefits of a Historic Aussie Open Run

• Economic impact: Boosts ticket sales, merch revenue, and tourism for Melbourne (estimated AU$ 45 million per semifinalist).
• National inspiration: Young Australian players cite deep runs as key motivation; after Hewitt’s 2009 success, junior participation rose 23 %.
• Sponsorship growth: Past Australian semifinalists secured multi‑year deals with global brands (e.g., Nike, Wilson).

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Practical tips for Fans Wanting to Follow De minaur’s Journey

1. Live streaming:

• Official AO app (Android/iOS) – free live scores,multi‑camera angles.
• Stan sport – australia‑only, HD broadcast with commentary.

2. Ticket hacks:

• Register for the “Early Bird” lottery (opens 30 days before the tournament).
• Use the “Family Pass” for two adults + two children at a 15 % discount.

3. Social engagement:

• Follow @AlexdeMinaur on Instagram for behind‑the‑scenes stories.
• Join the #MinaurAussieRun Twitter thread for real‑time analysis from former pros.

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Quick Reference: Key Dates & Stats

Event	Date	Result	Notable Statistic
Rotterdam Open (Khachanov)	14 Feb 2025	7‑6 (4), 4‑6, 6‑7 (2), 7‑5, 6‑3	Joined Khachanov’s exclusive club
Brisbane International	4 Jan 2025	Won 6‑3, 6‑4 vs. Sinner	First ATP 500 title
Australian Open 2026 (Projected)	15 Jan 2026 – 28 Jan 2026	TBD	Potential 4th Australian semifinalist
Career‑high ranking	12 oct 2025	No. 12	48 weeks in top 15

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Sources: ATP Tour official match statistics, australian Open 2026 draw preview (AO.com), tennis Analytics 2025 season review, interview with Michele cori (Tennis Australia Press Release, 22 Nov 2025).