US Open 2019: Alex de Minaur ousts seventh seed Kei Nishikori to reach fourth round of a Grand Slam for first time

US Open 2019: Alex de Minaur ousts seventh seed Kei Nishikori to reach fourth round of a Grand Slam for first time

Reuters August 31, 2019, 07:58:00 IST

Alex de Minaur reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time after he produced an inspired performance to upset seventh seed Kei Nishikori.

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US Open 2019: Alex de Minaur ousts seventh seed Kei Nishikori to reach fourth round of a Grand Slam for first time

New York: Alex de Minaur reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time after he produced an inspired performance to upset seventh seed Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-4 2-6 6-3 in the US Open third round on Friday.

The 20-year-old Australian was in control from the outset, going up a double break in the first set and leapt in the air and pumped his fist when the Japanese sent a forehand into the net on match point.

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Alex de Minaur, of Australia, reacts after scoring a point against Kei Nishikori, of Japan, during round three of the US Open tennis championships Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

De Minaur, nicknamed “the demon”, was delighted to notch up his first win over a top 10 player.

“The crowd support was amazing,” said De Minaur, who won last month’s Atlanta Open for his second ATP title.

“I had a bit of a thrill last year against (Marin) Cilic,” he said, referring to his heartbreaking five-set loss to the Croatian in New York.

“Was two-sets-to-love up again and I’m glad I could finally get the win.”

Nishikori was far from his best, committing 60 unforced errors and seven double faults on the sun-soaked Grand Stand court.

Next up for De Minaur is Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov who beat Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak in straight sets.

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