Alex de Minaur has extended his winning streak to seven matches ahead of the US Open after a thrilling victory over Frances Tiafoe at the Canadian Open. The Aussie clinched the 6-2 4-6 6-4 victory over the seventh-seeded American that included an extraordinary moment that some fans around the tennis world have described as ‘the point of the year’ in Toronto.
De Minaur has been in sensational form after winning the Citi Open title in Washington last week, and is now unbeaten in his last eight matches, with one of those being a walkover against compatriot Chris O’Connell in the previous round in Canada. The win over Tiafoe has also seen de Minaur clinch a special piece of Australian tennis history, courtesy of the 212th hard court triumph of the 26-year-old’s careeer.
Alex de Minaur claimed what some tennis fans have described as ‘the point of the year’ against Frances Tiafoe at the Canadian Open. Pic: Getty/Tennis TV
That draws him level with Pat Rafter for the second-most hard-court victories by an Australian man in the Open era, behind only Lleyton Hewitt, who has a staggering 372 wins. De Minaur has also climbed to No.8 in the world standings after entering last week’s Citi Open ranked World No.12.
De Minaur has a chance to leapfrog Novak Djokovic for an equal career-high ATP singles ranking of World No.6 if he can go all the way and lift the title in Toronto. And on current form, the ninth-seed must be considered a red-hot chance after taking down Tiafoe in a round of 16 clash between two of the tour’s best movers, to set up a quarter-final showdown against another American, Ben Shelton.
The Aussie got off to a lightning-fast start, racing through the first set 6-2 before Tiafoe regrouped in the second to force the match into a decider. De Minaur’s renowned return game held him in good stead as he converted five of the 10 break points he set up during the match, compared with the American’s three of seven chances.
The stunning victory came off the back of an incredible defensive display from the fleet-footed Aussie, which included a point that left the tennis world in disbelief. De Minaur looked down and out after being forced to retrieve two powerful forehands to the corner from Tiafoe, before showcasing his never-say-die spirit to chase down a seemingly irretrievable ball that caused the American to half-volley into the net.
Alex de Minaur.
What in the name of the Tennis Gods was that.
Defense out of this WORLD.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 3, 2025
That was point of the year from Alex de minaur.
— Tennis pro trader (@TennisProTrader) August 3, 2025
Wow! How did De Minaur win that point? 😯😯
— Big Dawg (@avndon_) August 3, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS WHAT IS THAT POINT FROM DE MINAUR AGAINST TIAFOE
— JM3 (@JM3Hoops) August 3, 2025
De Minaur point of the tournament.
How on earth did he win that point at 4-4 40-40????
— Lockright (@LockrightPK) August 3, 2025
“It was never going to be easy, and Frances has the ability to turn the switch on whenever he wants, so it is always very tricky to put him away,” de Minaur said after the match. “I think I battled him, myself and the conditions, and I am happy to sneak away with the win today.”
The Australian will be looking for an improvement on his service game though, after landing just 42 per cent of his first deliveries. Tiafoe hit more aces than de Minaur (10 to six) and more winners (29 to 23), but the American also gave up more free points with unforced 49 errors, compared with 35 from his opponent.
It continues de Minaur’s impressive build-up to the US Open, where the two-time quarter-finalist will be aiming to reach at least the first grand slam semi-final of his career. De Minaur has reached the last-eight all four majors but is yet to progress past that hurdle.
Alex De Minaur sends a backhand return down to Frances Tiafoe during his round of 16 win over the American at the Canadian Open. Pic: Getty
His form on hard courts this season should fill the 26-year-old full of confidence though, with de Minaur looking to avenge his defeat to World No.1 Jannik Sinner in the 2023 Canadian Open final, by going one better this year. De Minaur must first get past Shelton in the final-eight in Toronto after the American beat Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7/1) in their round of 16 clash.
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The Aussie will be joined in the quarter-finals by compatriot and defending champion Alexei Popyrin, with the 18th seed set to take on top-seeded German Alexander Zverev on Tuesday morning (AEST). Popyrin’s giant-slaying run has already included wins over top-10 seeds Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.
with AAP