UPDATE: Australian tennis is on the brink of a significant milestone as Alex de Minaur aims to leap past grand slam legend Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings before the US Open. Despite suffering a defeat in the Toronto Masters quarter-finals on Wednesday, de Minaur could still match his career-high ranking of No.6 if he performs well at the upcoming Cincinnati Masters.
De Minaur fell to fellow top-10 player Ben Shelton with a score of 6-3, 6-4, marking a crucial moment as he prepares for the hardcourt major in New York. This loss, however, follows a victorious run where he secured the title in Washington just days before.
The past week has been monumental for Australian men’s tennis, with Alexei Popyrin also making headlines by defeating top-15 players Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune in Toronto. His quarter-final exit against Alexander Zverev still positions Popyrin for a top-20 debut, a feat last achieved by Australians in 2016.
Popyrin’s victory over Rune not only secures his debut in the top-20 rankings but also enhances his chances of being seeded at the US Open, with crucial ranking points dropping off on August 18. He is set to become the seventh Australian man this century to enter the top 20, joining the ranks of tennis icons like Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
“It won’t be for long… it’s going to be in and out for me,” Popyrin expressed, reflecting his awareness of the competitive landscape. Yet, he remains optimistic about his performance level, stating, “I feel like I’m slowly starting to build something.”
As the ATP rankings operate on a revolving 12-month basis, Popyrin must excel in Cincinnati to maintain his standing. He has a first-round bye but risks a drop into the 40s if he doesn’t advance past the second round. This upcoming tournament is critical, as he aims to reach at least the semi-finals to secure a top-32 seed for the US Open.
In contrast, de Minaur has no points to defend, as injuries kept him from competing in the previous year’s Masters tournaments. His current focus is on maximizing his ranking potential, with eyes on Djokovic’s position. If de Minaur advances to the Cincinnati semi-finals, he could equal Djokovic’s ranking points, and surpass him with a finals appearance.
“There is a big opportunity for me because I’m defending no points, so if I can get some good results, I can be in a very good spot,” de Minaur stated, emphasizing the urgency of the upcoming matches.
This surge in Australian tennis is further highlighted by Bernard Tomic, who at 32, is advancing in rankings and will soon be eligible for qualifying at grand slams. His recent success at the Lexington Challenger final brings additional excitement to the Australian tennis scene.
As the tennis world watches closely, the upcoming Cincinnati Masters is set to be a pivotal moment for both Popyrin and de Minaur. Fans are eagerly anticipating how these developments will unfold as the US Open approaches.
