In-form Alex de Minaur has brushed off a minefield draw to declare himself primed to lead Australia’s 15-strong charge at the US Open in New York.
Having secured a precious top-eight seeding courtesy of his 10th career title in Washington and a last-eight run in Cincinnati, De Minaur is guaranteed to avoid a higher-ranked rival until at least the quarter-finals.
The upbeat tennis roadrunner is unfazed about the prospect of potential first-week battles with his rivals Stefanos Tsitsipas and Hugo Gaston, who both hold dominant records over Australia’s world No 8.
De Minaur is more focused on getting past friend Chris O’Connell in an enticing all-Aussie first-round tussle.
“I know Chris really well,” De Minaur said. “We actually played in the [Australian Open] wildcard playoff, my first ever wildcard playoff when I was about 16, 17, and he absolutely bullied me on the court.
“He’s a great guy from Sydney. Amazing what he’s achieved, even recently, and I’m expecting a battle.
“I’m not expecting anything to be easy. He’s a very tricky opponent because he’s got a lot of different weapons and has quite a unique playing style.”
De Minaur has arrived at Flushing Meadows in a vastly more confident mood than last year when, grossly underdone, he defied a hip injury to drag his battered body all the way to a fourth straight grand slam quarter-final.
“Last year there was a lot of uncertainty where I was even going to step on court,” he said.
“I wasn’t really sure and it ended up being a pretty surreal week. Now this year I feel in a really good spot mentally, physically and ready to get going. I’d much rather be a top-eight seed than just outside. It’s definitely a different mindset.”
Should he live up to his seeding, De Minaur is projected to strike world No 3 Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, with reigning champion Jannik Sinner likely awaiting in the semis.
Between them, Sinner and second seed Carlos Alcaraz have won the past seven slams.
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“Ultimately right now they are the two players to beat, right? They’ve shown it,” De Minaur said.
“That’s the challenge for us. We’ve got to do our best to rise up to the challenge and take it.
“So, for me, it’s about putting myself in the right positions, giving myself those opportunities, those chances, and if I’m playing either Carlos or Jannik, it means I’m in a good spot in the tournament.”
While De Minaur and O’Connell don’t clash until Tuesday or Wednesday (AEST), three fellow Australians feature on a light first-day schedule.
After a successful qualifying campaign, Destanee Aiava faces a tough test against Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the feature women’s night match on Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Rinky Hijikata also plays an Italian, 32nd seed Luciano Darderi, while Jordan Thompson is up against Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
Australians in action on day one (Monday AEST)
Men’s singles
Rinky Hijikata v 32-Luciano Darderi (ITA)
Jordan Thompson v Corentin Moutet (FRA)
Women’s singles
Destanee Aiava v 7-Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
