Aussie tennis star John Millman has revealed what he thinks Alex de Minaur must do to beat Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Enviornment tonight.
The pair have by no means met earlier than, and with the nine-time Australian Open winner nursing a hamstring niggle, Millman thinks de Minaur can prevail.
“I had lunch with him yesterday and I assumed he was calmly assured,” Millman stated.
“He appeared relaxed, which is the place you need to be if you’re Alex de Minaur. I am backing him in.
“Perhaps I am displaying my Australian bias however I feel he is an efficient shot.”
Millman stated the Demon will look to check Djokovic’s dodgy hammy early.
“He must make it bodily from the onset (and) let Novak know he is able to take a look at that hamstring as a lot as potential,” he stated.
“Alex is without doubt one of the quickest guys on tour. He does such an excellent job of shrinking the courtroom, utilizing his wheels to get into these factors and I feel early on we’ll see some actually bodily rallies as he seems to attract the road within the sand.”
Millman stated de Minaur is one other participant who feeds off robust crowd assist – in a lot the identical means as Nick Kyrgios.
“He loves it. All we have now to do is take a look at his Davis Cup outcomes, particularly in Australia.
“He feeds off that crowd. He did nice within the United Cup the place he beat Rafael Nadal, and If you happen to appeared on the scenes there, he was utilizing that crowd, utilizing that vitality.
“Little doubt he can have a very supportive and vocal crowd behind him and he’ll want each little bit of it.”
Ought to de Minaur get by means of Djokovic and e book 1 / 4 closing spot, he’ll meet both Holder Rune or Andrey Rublev.
Millman stated a greater historical past towards Rublev would imply de Minaur would doubtless favor to play the Russian.
“He has a 2-1 head-to-head file with Andrey. He’s but to beat Holger Rune of their solely encounter.
“The younger Dane is on the up – I feel he would favor to play Andrey Rublev however clearly has to get by means of the take a look at tonight.”
De Minaur will tackle Djokovic on Rod Laver Enviornment from 7pm.