{"id":361460,"date":"2024-01-21T00:46:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-21T01:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=361460"},"modified":"2024-01-21T04:03:36","modified_gmt":"2024-01-21T04:03:36","slug":"dellacqua-reveals-demon-switch-as-pressure-mounts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=361460","title":{"rendered":"Dellacqua reveals Demon switch as pressure mounts"},"content":{"rendered":"

A\ufefflex de Minaur<\/a> will enter arguably the biggest match of his career 'more relaxed than ever' according to close mate John Millman<\/a> – and there's reason to believe the local hope can advance to the fourth round of this year's Australian Open.<\/a><\/p>\n

The 24-year-old has cruised through his opening three matches, dropping just one set in the process, but will now be tasked with toppling fifth seed Andrey Rublev<\/a>.<\/p>\n

De Minaur has claimed the main-event timeslot on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night, bumping world No.1 Novak Djokovic to a rare afternoon match, with all eyes on the only remaining Aussie.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> The 'dangerous' stars flipping tennis on its head<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Why Djokovic photo means so much to Medvedev<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE: \ufeff<\/strong>'Had a few': Brit's cheeky barb after upset win<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking on Nine's Today<\/em>, the recently-retired Millman explained why the conditions will suit the Demon and why now is the perfect opportunity for him to reach new heights at Melbourne Park. \ufeff<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"He wanted this top billing slot, which has actually been Novak's \u2013 Novak's had prime real estate on that spot so I am absolutely pumped for Alex," he said.<\/p>\n

"Alex is one of the quickest guys on tour, so I think it's in this night time conditions, it's going to be a little bit slower.<\/p>\n

"I think he's going to use his wheels to get into the point and he is quietly confident. I think he'll take that confidence in with him. I've never seen him so relaxed at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n

"I think he's fresh, he's ready to go. He's just entered into the top ten for the first time in his career, and I think he has that belief now, which is a dangerous Alex de Minaur."<\/p>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

With a career-high ranking of No.10 heading into his home slam, the Sydney-born star is facing pressure like never before – especially with the continued absence of Nick Kyrgios and Ash Barty.<\/p>\n

And while the added weight of expectation could be seen as a negative by some, Casey Dellacqua claims that it will only push de Minaur further towards a maiden quarter-final berth.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2024 Australian Open live and exclusive on Nine,<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a> and ad-free on<\/strong><\/em> Stan Sport<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

"It's going to be the biggest test that Alex has had … but I do believe that Alex is both physically and mentally ready," she said on Wide World of Sports' The Morning Serve<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

"He has done so much work in the last 12 months for these big matches and to beat players like Rublev.<\/p>\n

"I think Alex needs to focus on his strengths and really go for it … think of that process as opposed to the outcome.<\/p>\n

"You start to feel that little bit of expectation … the thing with Alex is, he's a little bit different and he thrives with that.<\/p>\n

"The more support he gets, the harder he pushes."<\/p>\n

\"Australia's<\/p>\n

\ufeffDellacqua also revealed that de Minaur had been completing practice sessions indoors in a bid to alleviate some of the outside noise and pressure from the passionate Aussie fans.<\/p>\n

The performances and growth both on and off the court should hold de Minaur in good stead against Rublev – but Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt<\/a> believes he will need to use the crowd to his advantage in this encounter.<\/p>\n

"Being the last Australian, all the focus is on him … he's been built up to this," the grand slam winner said on Nine's coverage.<\/p>\n

"He's gonna relish it, he's gonna enjoy it – he knows a massive challenge awaits him tonight. It's a massive advantage and you have got to try and embrace it."<\/p>\n

The match between de Minaur and Rublev is tentatively scheduled to begin at 7pm AEDT. \ufeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A\ufefflex de Minaur will enter arguably the biggest match of his career 'more relaxed than ever' according to close mate John Millman – and there's […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":361462,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361460"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=361460"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":361466,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/361460\/revisions\/361466"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/361462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=361460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=361460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=361460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}