Alex de Minaur has reinforced his reputation as one of the most exciting young players in world tennis, seeing off Belgium’s David Goffin to book Australia’s spot in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
The 20-year-old Sydneysider beat the world No 11, 6-0, 7-6 (8-6) to seal Australia’s first victory over Belgium since 1991 and finish top of Group D, setting up a clash with a talented Canada side on Friday (0400 AEDT).
De Minaur won the first set in 26 minutes as Goffin struggled to find an answer to the red-hot Australian’s powerful return game. The Belgian No 1 finally got on the board in the opening game of the second set, but De Minaur continued to have success from the back of the court.
The world No 18 broke again at 3-1 but Goffin, with his back firmly against the wall, broke for the first time at 5-3 when De Minaur was serving for the match. De Minaur then saved a set point and forced the tiebreaker which he closed out to seal his 40th victory of the season.
It continues his brilliant 2019 in which he has won three ATP titles to rocket up the rankings.
Earlier, Nick Kyrgios put Australia 1-0 up, beating the gutsy Steve Darcis 6-2, 7-6 (10-8). The Canberran largely kept his emotions in check to see off the wily 35-year-old who has been Australia’s nemesis in two previous Davis Cup encounters in a match delayed by more than two hours.
He powered through the opening set in 24 minutes and then held his nerve against a much-improved Darcis in a high-quality second set in front of a noisy crowd dominated by Belgian fans.
Once again Kyrgios held his serve throughout, hurling down 22 aces – including an incredible nine in 10 points in the latter stages of the second set. But Darcis refused to lie down and saved two match points – one from a 21-shot rally and the second from a 31-shot extravaganza.
Kyrgios did well to hold firm when it mattered and saved two set points to close out the win. The final doubles rubber will see John Peers and Jordan Thompson meet Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.
Great Britain’s marathon 2-1 win against the Netherlands earlier on Court Three, which saw all three rubbers go the distance, kept Australia and Belgium waiting.