'His serve isn't great': Beaten rival drops Alex de Minaur reality check - but Aussie has other weapons
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Alex de Minaur's fourth-round opponent in Melbourne says while the Aussie's serve is not at the level of some others on tour, he makes up for it with other weapons.
De Minaur dismantled rising American star Alex Michelsen in three sets on Monday night to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash with world No.1 Jannik Sinner at Melbourne Park.
While 20-year-old Michelsen struggled to break de Minaur throughout the match, he later said his opponent's serve is not a lethal part of his game.
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He compared it to his other three Australian Open opponents - Stefanos Tsitipas, James McCabe, and Karen Khachanov - but says de Minaur has something none of them do.
"I think Alex makes a lot more balls than all three of the guys that I played," Michelsen said after the match.
"He doesn't miss a ball, doesn't give anything for free.
Alex de Minaur, right, of Australia is congratulated by Alex Michelsen. AP
"I think his serve is weaker, and I think that's about it.
"I mean, he's way faster than all of them, moves better. His backhand is absolute money, doesn't miss it. He was hitting his backhand line super well today... I wasn't expecting that, honestly.
"No one is really talking about it in the locker room, about how his serve isn't great.
"But honestly, his second today he jammed me in the body so many times. I can't really say anything about his serve.
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"I played him in Los Cabos in March last year... his serve has gotten a lot better since then. He's definitely improved and that's why he's top 10 in the world.
"I think against Sinner he's going to have to not miss a single ball if he wants a chance, because Sinner is just unbelievable.
"With the home crowd I think he definitely has a chance, so we'll see."
De Minaur's first-serve percentage on Monday night was below 50 per cent, and even the Aussie knows it will have to improve if he plans on making it past Sinner.
He did, though, hit 215km/h with his first serve at one point during the match against Michelsen - pace that would be lethal if he can hone the accuracy.
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"I think these numbers are not something that I want day in and day out," de Minaur said.
"The first couple of rounds. where I'm serving at the same pace but I'm still looking at 60 per cent... anywhere around that is definitely good serving numbers for me.
"It's about using that variety and setting up the next shot and keeping your opponents guessing whether you're going to go for the big one down the T or you're going to take a little bit of pace off and go for the short slider, go somewhere in the body, just keep that variety going."
Sinner struggled with illness in the heat during his Monday win over Holger Rune.
The Italian is the reigning men's champion in Melbourne.
