Alex de Minaur defeated Ilya Ivashka in a successful start to his seventh main event at Roland Garros.
Paris, France, May 29, 2023 | Vivienne Christie
Distinctive speed, characteristic determination and thrilling touch all saw Alex de Minaur start his seventh Roland Garros Main Event victoriously.
But most of all, it was a business performance because 18p seeded De Minaur defeated Ilya Ivashka in four sets.
De Minaur took two hours and 45 minutes to pull off a 6-1, 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 victory over his world No. 73 opponent to send the Australian into the second round of a clay court tournament for the third time. time.
While Roland Garros proved to be De Minaur’s most difficult Grand Slam setup statistically, the 24-year-old Sydneysider quickly showed his comfort on Paris clay in 2023.
De Minaur took control of the game early on court 6, using the first stoppage to take a 2-1 lead and winning five straight games to secure the first set in the 31st minute.
Having saved three break points at the end of the first set, De Minaur experienced his opening shot with a losing serve early in the second set.
The Australian recovered immediately, but there was more of a challenge as Ivashka found his rhythm, the Belarusian struggled as De Minaur served for a two-set lead. Winning four games in a row, Ivashka leveled the match with his first ace.
The reset was immediate for the determined 24-year-old, De Minaur successfully coping with several extended exchanges – some with cleverly disguised dropshots, others with perfectly positioned lobs – throughout the third set.
Improved serve also came as De Minaur took control of Ivashka, the Australian, who had no major problems in the remaining two sets.
De Minaur finished with 35 winners, including six aces. Consuming 10 of his 21 break points against Ivashka, he saved nine of the 13 break points he faced.
De Minaur’s specialty! 🙌🇦🇺
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The outstanding performance gives De Minaur welcome confidence ahead of his second-round encounter with Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who moved up as Brit Jack Draper ended his career through injury.
It also adds to some satisfying recent progress for world No. 19 De Minaur, who posted a personal best of 47 games on tour last year.
He started the 2023 season with a victory over world No. 2 Rafael Nadal at the United Cup in Sydney, and went on to win the biggest of his seven ATP singles titles in Acapulco.
This points to some nice opportunities as Australian No. 1 De Minaur joins several compatriots in the second round of Roland Garros.
Thanasi Kokkinakis he scored an upset victory over seeded No. 20 Dan Evans yesterday while Jason Kubler defeated Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta in five tight sets.
However, Alexei Popyrin and Chris O’Connell were eliminated in the first round.
Popyrin, the 2017 Roland Garros Junior Champion, extended the former world No. 14 of Aslan Karatsev by nearly three hours before losing 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 6-2, with an injury preventing O’Connell from losing to Japanese Taro Daniel in straight sets.
Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson will meet in the first round match on day three, which will ensure at least four Australians advance to the second round.
This is the Australians’ best performance at Roland Garros since 2000, when five advanced to the second round.
Australians in action – Roland Garros
RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
(18) Alex de Minaur (AUS) d Ilya Ivashka 6-1 5-7 6-1 6-3
Taro Daniel (Japan) b Chris O’Connell (AUS) 6-0 6-2 6-4
(Q) Aslan Karatsev b Alexei Popyrin (AUS) 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 6-2
COMING
Men’s singles, first round
Max Purcell (Australia) In Jordan Thompson (AUS)
Women’s singles, second round
(Q) Stormhunter (AUS) v To be confirmed
> READ: Hunter achieves big breakthrough at Roland Garros
Men’s singles, second round
(18) Alex de Minaur (AUS) v. Tomas Martin Etcheverry (ARG)
Jason Kubler (AUS) v. Fabio Fognini (Italy)
(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v To be confirmed
> READ: Roland Garros 2023 doubles draw revealed
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