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Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur was thrilled that he was able to edge out French Ugo Humbert at the ATP Cup on Thursday. De Minaur, ranked at No. 34 in the world, recovered from a set down to beat Humbert 3-6 7-6 (2) 6-1.
“This is home, this is where I grew up," de Minaur told former World No. 1 Jim Courier in an on-court interview, per the ATP Cup website. "It’s my home tennis centre. Just playing here is electric, the atmosphere is always amazing every time I step out on court.
I just tried to stay in there as Ugo was playing some unbelievable tennis. I kept pushing myself and got the crowd going. It’s a special event”.
De Minaur delighted the local fans
Humbert saved a break point in the third game, before claiming the first break of the match in the sixth game.
Humbert then routinely served out for the opener in the ninth game. De Minaur saved a break point in the ninth game of the second set, before failing to convert a set point in the following game. As no breaks were seen, the second set went into a tie-break -- which de Minaur dominated to force a decider.
After losing the second set, Humbert served out the opening game of the third set. De Minaur then went on a major run as he claimed three breaks in a row to win six consecutive games and seal a three-set win. In the opening match of the tie, Arthur Rinderknech beat James Duckworth 6-4 7-6 (6).
"It's always an honour to play for your country in such a great event," said Rinderknech, who hit 12 aces. "I am happy to have won today and I'd like thank the crowd, even though the majority were against me, for making it such a great atmosphere." Australia ended up losing the tie after John Peers and Luke Saville lost to Fabrice Martin and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.