Deadly Demon leads Aussie charge as seeds go flying

| July 31, 2025

Alex de Minaur has continued his sizzling form, scorching his way to a straight-sets win on a red-letter day for Australian men at the Canadian Open.

De Minaur was joined in the third round by compatriots Christopher O’Connell and Aleksandar Vukic, who both defeated seeded players.

Hot on the heels of winning his 10th career tournament at the Washington Open on Sunday, de Minaur wasted little time in disposing of Argentina’s Francisco Comesana, winning 6-4 6-2 in Toronto on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).

De Minaur, the ninth seed, advanced despite only landing 43 per cent of his first serves, compared with his opponent’s 59 per cent.

However, the Australian boasted a clear advantage when relying on his second ball, winning 74 per cent off the delivery compared with a measly 35 per cent for Comesana.

As a result of his returning brilliance, de Minaur converted three of the six break points he generated, while the Argentine couldn’t cash in on his one opportunity.

De Minaur’s victory set up an all-Australian third-round clash against O’Connell, who had earlier upset 23rd-seeded Greek showman Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 4-6 6-2.

Whatever the result of that round-of-32 match, it is encouraging for Australia’s chances leading into the year’s final major, the US Open, which starts in New York on August 24.

O’Connell will be looking to match or even improve on his 2024 effort at Flushing Meadows, where he reached the third round.

De Minaur, who has stormed back into the world’s top 10 on the strength of his Washington triumph, has twice reached the quarter-finals in New York (2020, 2024).

Earlier on Wednesday, compatriot Vukic pushed British No.2 Cameron Norrie through the exit door after a three-set battle.

Norrie, 29, overcame a one-set deficit and a medical timeout to force a decider against the Australian world No.99 in their second-round clash. 

But Norrie, who received a first-round bye, was unable to complete the comeback as his US Open preparations were dealt a blow by a 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 defeat in just over two hours.

Vukic wrapped up the first set in 33 minutes after Norrie, the world No.39, had saved four break points but still dropped his opening service game.

That proved to be the only break of serve across the opening two sets, with Wimbledon quarter-finalist Norrie ultimately levelling courtesy of a tiebreak after requiring on-court treatment while leading 6-5 in the second set.

Vukic survived two break points in game five of the final set, a pivotal moment compounded by Norrie immediately failing to hold.

Vukic was one game from victory when a rain delay prolonged the match before returning to finish the job and set up a last-32 meeting with American seventh seed Frances Tiafoe, who beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5).

In other notable results, there were victories for Russian sixth seed Andrey Rublev and Americans Ben Shelton (No.4) and Taylor Fritz (No.2).

With PA.