“It’s a good problem to have,” said Alex de Minaur ahead of dueling with his childhood mate, Jordan Thompson in the fourth round of the ongoing US Open. But can he live up to the expectations after rising through the ranks and setting up for a blockbuster in New York? Well, grip tight. For the first time in 31 years, two Australians are set to lock horns in the US Open R4 on Tuesday, September 3.

Alex de Minaur vs Jordan Thompson: Preview

De Minaur’s New York campaign has seen only a two-set deficit in his three matches. The 25-year-old registered a dominating victory in his third-round encounter wherein he showcased his athletic prowess to get over the line against Dan Evans, after facing a slight turbulence in the second set. He concluded the four-set thriller with a score line of 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-0, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Thompson is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows. Soaring with confidence, the Aussie survived a challenging battle against Matteo Arnaldi. Despite facing resistance, the 30-year-old capitalized on his resilience to beat the Italian pro in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(5).

De Minaur vs Thompson: Head-to-Head

Nearly two years after the duo’s previous clash on the ATP Tour, both players will mark their sixth overall meet at the US Open. De Minaur boasts a 4-1 win-loss record against Thompson, who will be eager to have one back on his childhood friend at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

• 2022 ATP Masters 1000 Miami, R64: Minaur, 6-2, 6-3
• 2021 Stuttgart Open, R16: Minaur, 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-4
• 2019 ‘s-Hertogenbosch, QF: Thompson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
• 2019 Sydney, QF: Minaur, 7-6(4), 6-3
• 2019 Brisbane, R16: Minaur, 6-4, 6-2

Prediction: De Minaur to win in straight sets

De Minaur aka ‘The Demon’ has enjoyed laudable success this year. Kicking off the season with a blast, the Aussie achieved the milestone of reaching the second week in all four Grand Slam appearances. However, his excellent form came to a halt after enduring a hip injury that forced him to retire during his QF face-off against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. Despite those concerns and skipping all warm-up events leading to the US Open, the No. 10 seed is looking to silence critics.

Speaking of a gritty style of play, De Minaur is known to outlast his opponents in rallies. While his effectiveness depends on his physical fitness, which is currently not at its peak, the Aussie’s ability to chase down balls and extend points speaks volumes about his formidability. Furthermore, ‘The Demon’ aced his serve game during his last showdown, registering 82% of wins on his first serves while executing 11 aces.

Thompson, on the other hand, is taking full advantage of a favorable draw at Flushing Meadows. Marking his first fourth-round appearance since the 2021 Wimbledon, the 30-year-old has had a modest run this season. Though adamant about finding success on the Grand Slam stage, the Aussie has furnished himself with a handful of notable victories. Namely, lifting the Los Cabos Open title and finishing runner-up at the Atlanta Open, amongst other achievements.

Boasting a commendable mental fortitude, Thompson is a defensive baseliner who exploits his rivals’ errors by exhausting them with a run-around the court. However, his game lacks firepower. This, in turn, can be capitalized by De Minaur. Moreover, Thompson’s returns against explosive serves need attention too, having registered 42/101 wins on his return in his third-round match.

Overall, it is safe to say that this fourth-round blockbuster should see De Minaur advance. Thompson hasn’t had much success against higher-ranked players in Grand Slams. Considering De Minaur’s rehabilitated form, he should end up overpowering Thompson.