Alex de Minaur launched his latest bid for a grand slam final with a convincing straight-sets victory over Argentina's Roman Andres Burruchaga in the first round at Wimbledon on Tuesday. The Australian No. 1, seeded fifth, won 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 6-0 after overcoming a nervy start.
De Minaur finds rhythm after tight first set
The opening set lasted an hour, with De Minaur falling behind 3-0 after an early break. However, he rallied to force a tie-break, which he won 7-5 aided by a lucky net cord and a Burruchaga double-fault at 4-4. From that point, the Australian dominated, winning 12 of the next 13 games and closing out the final two sets in just 52 minutes.
“A little bit of a nervy start,” said the fifth seed. “Never easy starting an incredible tournament like Wimbledon, but as the match went on, I played better and better. I love being here. I really want to do well here. It’s about getting started and I’m glad I got through that. I’m super-stoked to be in the next round.”
Burruchaga's family history adds intrigue
Burruchaga, making his Wimbledon main draw debut, drew inspiration from his father Jorge, who scored the winning goal in the 1986 World Cup final for Argentina against West Germany. The match fell 40 years and a day after that historic goal.
De Minaur, 27, will next face French left-hander Adrian Mannarino, ranked 40th. The Australian holds a 5-1 win record against the 38-year-old, who is considered dangerous on grass. “I love the grass. I love these courts,” De Minaur added. “I am at my most dangerous when I am aggressive and it’s up to me to be aggressive and try and dictate. Next time, hopefully I can do that from the start.”
Kokkinakis suffers five-set heartbreak
Thanasi Kokkinakis twice led 10th seed Alexandre Bublik but ultimately lost 4-6 6-3 7-6 (12-10) 6-3 6-4 in a 3-hour-39-minute marathon. The South Australian won a gripping 22-point third-set tie-break, but the Kazakh proved too consistent in the final hour.
De Minaur was the first Australian male winner after Aleksandar Vukic and Adam Walton exited on the opening day. Rinky Hijikata also lost, falling 5-7 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-3 to Dutchman Jesper de Jong after a suspension due to dew and poor light.
Australian women progress
Kim Birrell defeated Russian qualifier Alina Korneeva 6-3 0-6 6-2 to reach the second round, joining Daria Kasatkina as the only Australian women winners so far. However, Talia Gibson lost to 21st seed Marie Bouzkova 6-1 3-6 6-2 after a strong fightback in the second set.
