De Minaur first entered the upper echelon of men’s tennis early last year and is banging on the door of the world’s top five. The gutsy right-hander went down to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets in a final-eight showdown in New York in arguably his best chance to reach a debut grand slam semi.
Along with women’s world No.32 Maya Joint and adopted Australian Daria Kataskina (also ranked inside the WTA top 40), de Minaur will spearhead the local hopes at next month’s Australian Open, where his nemesis Sinner will be gunning for a third straight title.
Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has no doubt that a major semi-final is imminent for de Minaur.
“Absolutely. He was so close to making a semi at the US Open, [and] even at Wimbledon the last couple of years,” Hewitt said.
“There are certain chances – the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon are his best bets.”
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Two-time major champion Hewitt says de Minaur is “right in there” among the pack chasing Sinner and Alcaraz, who have created the sport’s latest hot rivalry by sharing the past eight majors.
“The top two are clearly the top two in the world,” said Hewitt of the dynamic duo.
“And if you’re not in [their] section[s], Alex can beat anyone, especially over five sets. I think it plays into his hands as well, with fitness and how consistent
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