Alex de Minaur is out of the Australian Open after letting his chance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time slip in a dramatic five-set capitulation to world No.5 Andrey Rublev.
The local hope fought back from losing the first set to snag a two-sets-to-one lead at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday and appeared destined to kick on as a frustrated and emotional Rublev waged a verbal war on himself.
But a brilliant Rublev came home with a wet sail to level proceedings, then put the foot down in the fifth set as de Minaur crumbled to win 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0.
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After prevailing in the longest match of his career, Rublev will face world No.4 Jannik Sinner in his 10th attempt at reaching a slam semi-final.
“He’s so fast and the way he move with his legs, the speed was crazy. He was super tough to play, four hours and I’m just happy to be in a quarter-final,” Rublev said.
“I was trying not to think about it (the pain), I was just trying to push myself, I was going to do everything I could — don’t cry, don’t feel sorry for yourself. Stop these things and keep fighting.
“Better not to be inside my head. It’s like a scary movie, a lot of emotions.”
Rublev claimed the first set when de Minaur double faulted on set point.
The world No.5 barely missed a beat early in the second set but de Minaur hung in to take it to a tiebreak.
Then the Australian kicked into overdrive, pulling off an audacious shot around the net when trailing 2-1 to draw level, and converting his second set point with a brilliant lob.
De Minaur raced away to a 3-0 lead in the third set as Rublev grew increasingly frustrated.
The 24-year-old got shaky when serving for the set and let the opportunity slip, and Rublev saved a second set point on serve to force a tie break.
De Minaur claimed the tiebreak, and a two-sets-to-one advantage with a wonderful passing shot.
But Rublev almost immediately seized control of the fourth set, racing away then claiming it.
He kicked into another gear in the decider, leaving de Minaur left to rue what might have been.
Cameras inside the players’ locker rooms captured de Minaur being consoled by partner and English tennis star in her own right, Katie Boutler.
Boutler gave de Minaur a hug as he warmed down on an exercise bike.
