Alex de Minaur Advances to US Open Last 16 as Daria Kasatkina Exits
De Minaur Pushes Through After Altmaier’s Retirement
Alex de Minaur has once again proven his resilience on tennis’ biggest stage, storming into the fourth round of the US Open for the fifth time in his career. The Australian star advanced after overcoming German Daniel Altmaier in a grueling match that ended prematurely when Altmaier retired with a thigh injury.
The eighth seed fought back strongly after losing a tight opening set 6-7 (9-7). De Minaur quickly regrouped to dominate the next two sets 6-3, 6-4, and was already leading 2-0 in the fourth when Altmaier, visibly struggling with a thigh strain, decided he could no longer continue.
The contest was shaping up to be another marathon for Altmaier, who had already spent more than four hours on court in his stunning third-round upset over Stefanos Tsitsipas. That match saw him save a match point and grind out an epic victory, but the effort clearly left him depleted heading into his clash with De Minaur.
Unlike his opponent, De Minaur looked fresh and focused. Nicknamed “the Demon” for his speed and relentless energy, the Australian seized the opportunity to take control once Altmaier began slowing down. Once up two sets to one, De Minaur showed no signs of letting the match slip, ready to finish the job regardless of Altmaier’s condition.
A Model of Consistency
At just 26 years old, De Minaur has quietly built a reputation as one of the most consistent performers on the ATP Tour. With this result, he has now reached the fourth round in eight of the past nine Grand Slam tournaments.
The Australian has already twice advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open, and with the draw opening up, he has a golden chance to make a deep run again. His next opponent will be Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi, ranked No. 435 in the world. On paper, it is a highly favorable matchup for De Minaur, who will enter the contest as the heavy favorite.
Should he advance, it would mark his third US Open quarterfinal appearance, further cementing his reputation as Australia’s top men’s player and a consistent threat on hard courts.
Kasatkina’s Hopes Dashed by Osaka
While De Minaur kept Australian hopes alive in the men’s draw, women’s 15th seed Daria Kasatkina saw her tournament come to a disappointing end. The Russian-born player, now competing under the Australian flag, fell in a three-set battle against Naomi Osaka, the two-time US Open champion.
Osaka came out firing, dismantling Kasatkina with a dominant 6-0 opening set, often referred to as delivering a “bagel.” Despite the early setback, Kasatkina regrouped and mounted a spirited comeback in the second set, winning 6-4.
However, Osaka’s power and experience ultimately proved too much. The Japanese star regained control in the third, securing a 6-3 victory and booking her place in the fourth round, where she will face American star Coco Gauff.
For Kasatkina, the loss was particularly frustrating as she was seeking to break through to the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in her 11 attempts. Despite her resilience in the second set, the match remained largely dictated by Osaka’s aggressive play.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament heads into its second week, De Minaur stands as Australia’s last hope in the singles draw. His consistency and determination make him a dangerous contender, especially with a relatively favorable path to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Osaka’s resurgence continues to excite fans, setting up a blockbuster clash with Gauff. For Kasatkina, the search for a breakthrough run at Flushing Meadows will have to wait another year.
The US Open continues to deliver drama and storylines, with De Minaur’s run representing both Australia’s pride and the grit that has defined his career.