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. [caption id=“attachment_7259111” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Alex de Minaur stunned Kei Nishikori to reach the fourth round at the US Open. AP/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez[/caption] 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.