Thanasi Kokkinakis believes compatriot and Davis Cup team-mate Alex de Minaur can proceed his profitable run at Roland Garros 2024.
Paris, France, 3 June 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Thanasi Kokkinakis can be among the many many Australians cheering for Alex de Minaur in his fourth-round showdown in opposition to world No.5 Daniil Medvedev at Roland Garros 2024.
It’s the second match scheduled at this time at Court docket Suzanne-Lenglen (with an approximate beginning time of 9pm AEST).
“Medvedev’s an incredible participant, so it’s going to be powerful,” world No.100 Kokkinakis predicted.
“Most likely has 4 or 5 units written on it, however Alex is simply as powerful, it’s important to play effectively to have an opportunity to beat him. It ought to be a very fascinating match, and hopefully he will get it finished.”
The 25-year-old De Minaur is having fun with a career-best run at Roland Garros, the place he has change into the primary Australian man to achieve the fourth spherical in 17 years.
“Alex deserves all the things that involves him,” mentioned Kokkinakis of his compatriot, who he described as a “nice man”.
“(He) all the time leads leads by instance (and) more often than not wins. He simply has the perfect angle you’ve ever seen from a participant and actually pushes everybody. He’s an final team-mate and whereas he’s perhaps not essentially the most pure clay courter, once you’re good, you’re good.
“He’s added a bit extra firepower to his sport, he’s hitting his drop shot loads higher and that’s a recipe for achievement on clay. So I believe he could be utilizing {that a} bit in opposition to Medvedev. Yeah, I believe I give him a very good shot.”
> READ: De Minaur prepared for Medvedev problem at Roland Garros 2024
Clay is Medvedev’s least favorite floor and he’s but to beat a top-20 opponent at Roland Garros. Nevertheless, the six-time Grand Slam singles finalist is “trying ahead” to taking part in the in-form Australian.
“I really feel like we had numerous good matches. Some he gained, some I gained,” Medvedev mentioned forward of their Roland Garros assembly.
“First time on clay. We practiced every week earlier than Roland Garros in Monte Carlo. I believe we will each play effectively, and it’s going to be fascinating.”
| Alex de Minaur v Daniil Medvedev Head-to-head report |
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| Consequence | Yr | Occasion | Spherical | Floor |
| Medvedev gained 1-6 6-4 7-5 | 2018 | Sydney | Remaining | Outside onerous |
| Medvedev gained 6-3 6-3 | 2018 | Winston-Salem | 2R | Outside onerous |
| Medvedev gained 5-7 6-2 6-2 | 2020 | Paris Masters | 3R | Indoor onerous |
| Medvedev gained 6-4 6-2 | 2022 | ATP Cup | Spherical-robin | Outside onerous |
| De Minaur gained 6-4 2-6 7-5 | 2022 | Paris Masters | 2R | Indoor onerous |
| De Minaur gained 7-6(7) 7-5 | 2023 | Canadian Masters | QF | Outside onerous |
| Medvedev gained 2-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 | 2023 | US Open | 4R | Outside onerous |
| Medvedev gained 7-6(3) 6-3 | 2023 | Beijing | 2R | Outside onerous |
That is De Minaur’s eighth look within the fourth spherical at a Grand Slam match and he has now made this stage in 4 of the previous six majors.
He can have a minimum of one passionate supporter courtside for his conflict with Medvedev, having efficiently tracked down a younger fan who impressed him throughout his third-round victory in opposition to Jan-Lennard Struff.
De Minaur took to social media to seek out the fan, so he may invite him to attend his subsequent match.
> READ MORE: De Minaur celebrates milestone win with heartfelt gesture for younger fan
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